Security Tips
Protect yourself and your loved ones.
Ensure your bank accounts are protected with our essential security tips. Learn how to safeguard your financial transactions, protect sensitive customer information, and prevent fraud. From strong password practices to secure payment processing, our expert advice will help you maintain a safe and secure banking experience.
1. Avoid Scams
Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, visits, or email messages and do not provide personal information or information about your business. If you are unsure whether an email request is legitimate, try to verify it by contacting the company directly. Do not use contact information provided on a website connected to the request; instead, check previous statements for contact information.
2. Protecting Yourself From Phishing
Protecting yourself involves knowledge and technology. Never open emails from unknown senders. Carefully read the email, be mindful of grammatical errors and misspelled words. Don’t click on the links in the email. Verify the legitimacy of emails by using your browser to go directly to the company website. Make sure your software technology is updated regularly. If you think you've received a phishing scam, delete the email message. Do not click any links in the message.
3. Protecting Yourself From Ransomware
Ransomware roams through the internet. Secure your data by backing up your information on an external or cloud drive. Invest in security tools. Have security software installed and, most importantly, up to date with a current subscription. Remember with the thousands of new malware variants running every day, having a set of old virus definitions is almost as bad as having no protection. Make sure all the software on your system is up to date.
4. Destructive Malware
Destructive Malware presents a threat to daily operations and business continuity. It impacts confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. It can threaten the ability to recover from an attack. Follow five tips to combat destructive malware cyber-attacks:
Back up data and scan systems regularly. While malware can slip past defenses, it's important to backup your information so that you can retrieve it in a worst-case scenario. Scan networks, systems and devices for malware frequently to stop data breaches as soon as they start.
Don't open suspicious emails. Malware is easily downloaded through malicious links in emails.
5. Use Strong Passwords
Protect credentials with strong passwords. Passwords are the first line of defense for consumers and businesses. Create strong passwords that are a combination of lower and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters to prevent hackers from simply guessing the correct one.
Cybercriminals can steal credentials to gain access to information they are targeting.
6. Update Software Regularly
Software and tech companies often issue software updates and patches to fix security flaws that cybercriminals can exploit.
Download the updates for your phone and mobile apps. Make sure your devices are kept up to date with the latest software, as these updates often include critical patches and protections against security threats.
7. Mobile Device Security
Maintain the same vigilance you would on your computer with your mobile device.
Download apps and data only from trusted applications from reputable sources or marketplaces.
Don't use your mobile device to store important and sensitive personal information, bank account numbers or other information that personally identifies you.
Be suspicious of unknown links or requests sent through email or text message. Do not click on unknown links or answer strange questions sent to your mobile device, regardless of who the sender appears to be.
Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information if your device is lost or stolen.
Watch out for public Wi-Fi. Public connections aren't very secure, so don’t perform banking transactions on a public network. If you need to access your account, try disabling the Wi-Fi and switching to your mobile network.
8. Be Aware of Romance Scams
In this type of fraud, cyber criminals gain the confidence of their victims and trick them into sending money. Use caution when online dating, and never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person.