10 ways to help you stay safe online

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Learn more about our security technology and practices to safeguard your online account from unauthorised access.

Anti - virus software

Anti-virus software protects you, your privacy and your money. Viruses are not good for the computers/ laptops and they steal personal information, take over your PC, pop up unwanted adverts and can even use your computer to attack other people's computers. You may also hear them called malware, trojans, spyware or adware. Anti-virus software protects you against all of them. Anti-virus software should be updated regularly.

Update your browser

Modern up-to-date browser software helps protect you against online problems. Just like any other software, it makes sense to use the latest, most secure web browser. The latest browsers have security features that block fake websites and protect against some viruses (but you still need anti-virus for advanced protection). If you have updated your computer regularly or bought it in the last couple of years, it is likely that you are already using an up-to-date browser. You can check by selecting 'About' on the browser menu. If this is not the case, you may want to get the new browser software and update it regularly for maximum protection.

Look after your paper statements

Fraudsters use personal information from different sources to steal people's identities. Viruses are one way to do it.

But they also use paper documents of your accounts containing personal details, such as receipts and bank statements. Fraudsters use many methods such as searching in dustbins to obtain these documents. You should take simple precautions to keep your details safe and to dispose of these documents safely, such as shredding them before disposing.

Tips to keep your devices safe

Follow these housekeeping tips to protect your devices from security threats:

  • install antivirus/ anti-malware software
  • keep anti-malware and antivirus applications up-to-date
  • perform regular scans for both
  • don't click on email links or attachments from unknown senders.
  • Do Not share your PINs, Passwords, OTPs with any one
  • Delete cookies regularly

Learn to spot fake websites

Criminals use fake websites to con people into giving away passwords and bank details. The technical word for this is 'phishing'.

They are good at making their websites look realistic. But you can often spot the fake ones:

  • dodgy-looking web addresses
  • poor design, typos or bad spelling
  • they ask you to do something unusual
  • a site doesn't display the padlock symbol in the address bar when you log on

Do not share private information online

Double-check privacy settings on social networking sites.

What's your mother's maiden name? What's the name of the first school you went to? What was your favourite subject at school? What's your address? Birthday? Phone number?

All this information is useful to people who want to steal your identity or break into your personal internet banking. You wouldn't give this information away to a stranger in the street but if you use social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter or Myspace, you could be oversharing personal data.

You may want to think carefully about the information you put into your profiles on sites like this. It is also a good idea that you check the privacy settings on each site that you use to make sure you only share personal information with people you trust.

Look after your paper statements

Fraudsters use personal information from different sources to steal people's identities. Viruses are one way to do it but they also use paper documents of your accounts containing personal details, such as receipts and bank statements.

Understand how criminals use the internet

There are many ways for them to make money online by:

  • Stealing your passwords and bank details with viruses, fake emails and fake websites
  • Asking you to provide security details
  • Using viruses to display unwanted adverts on your pc

We take your personal internet banking security and privacy very seriously. Protecting yourself and your money takes a bit of know-how and the right software.

Avoid online fraud

If it's too good to be true, it probably is. When it comes to protecting yourself and your money on the internet be wary of ridiculous deals. Criminals may contact you by email, through websites you use, via sms or even by phone.

If an attachments looks suspicious don't open them. Don't install software unless it comes from a website you trust (like this one). If you suspect that there is a problem with your personal internet banking, you can always talk to us first.

Protect your mobile phone

Your phone may hold lots of personal data you may even use it for internet banking and online shopping so you should think about:

  • Setting and using a security PIN code
  • Adjusting the phone settings so that it locks automatically if you don't use it for five or ten minutes
  • Not storing passwords or other sensitive information on your phone in a way that can be understood by someone else
  • Not storing your home phone number and address under 'home' in the contact list
  • Be wary of voicemail and text message scams

If you lose your phone report it to your mobile phone provider immediately. Make a note of your phone's IMEI number (dial *#06# to get it). This could make it easier for your phone company to disable a stolen phone.