Ways to Stay Safe Online
IDB Bank is committed to providing a secure banking environment for our customers. This not only includes the internal controls and security of our network but also sharing information with our customers on how to ensure the safety of their own home computers, tablets, and email.
Security threats often evolve just as quickly as technology advances. Learn about security software and the steps you can take to guard your information. The first move is to update your security preferences.
Make your user ID and password as secure as possible.
It's important to choose highly secure passwords for all of your financial accounts. The strongest passwords combine letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid selecting a password or a variation of one that you already use on another website. Also, steer clear of using any variation of your name or the names of family members or pets, as these can sometimes be found on social media. For added security, remember to change your password regularly, save it securely (e.g., store it in an encrypted password vault), and avoid using the same one password for multiple sites (or financial institutions).
Nickname your banking accounts.
Nicknaming an account makes it easier to identify online and at ATMs while concealing your full account number.
Be very careful on social media.
It’s always better to be cautious about what you share on social media, and never use information from your social media account as a password.
Networks in hotels, libraries, and internet cafés can easily be tampered with and usually are not safe. Even if these public systems provide you with a password, you still aren’t guaranteed a secure connection. And you should always avoid using any public computers for online banking.
Avoid using a public or shared computer for personal transactions.Anyone who uses the computer after you and visits the same websites may be able to sign on to your accounts. To address this issue, select the option to "remove a user" after you have signed off (if that choice is available). Also, make sure to clear your web browser’s history and cookies (stored data) once you are done.
Many internet service providers offer this feature. A personal firewall protects your home computer against unauthorized access but is only designed to safeguard the device on which it is installed. It works by controlling the traffic that enters and exits your system. A firewall watches for attempts to access your computer and blocks communications to and from unauthorized sources.
Beware of malware infection with drive-by download.Drive-by downloads may occur when opening an e-mail message, clicking on a deceptive pop-up window, or visiting a malicious or vulnerable website. Malware is malicious software that is installed on your computer with harmful intent and can, for example, capture your login passwords and retrieve other personal data. The best way to protect against malware (which includes spyware, adware, viruses, etc.) is to exercise caution before installing programs on your computer or viewing email attachments. Here are some important precautions that you should take:
— Only install applications and software from well-known, trusted companies.
— Make sure your computer is cleansed from viruses/spyware and has up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed.
— Keep your operating system and browser updated with the latest security updates and patches.
The best defense against computer attacks is preventative software. You will need to update the software regularly to guard against new risks, so download updates from your provider as soon as they're available. Or, better yet, set the software to update automatically.
Use a pop-up blocker.Set your browser preferences to block pop-ups. Aside from being annoying, pop-ups can contain inappropriate content or have malicious intentions.
Go directly there.Generally, the best way to get to any site is to type its address (URL) into your browser and then bookmark it.
Phishing occurs when an imposter tries to trick you into providing your sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information, banking and credit card details, and passwords. They might even impersonate IDB in an email, phone call, or text, asking you to confirm your information —and it might look legitimate.
The information is then used to access important accounts and can result in identity theft and financial loss.
Click here to get more information on phishing email red lags.Think before you open.
Don't open an email attachment, even if it appears to be from a friend or co-worker, unless you're expecting it or are absolutely sure you know what it contains.
Watch out for suspicious subject lines or emails containing generic messages like "check this out" or "thought you'd be interested in this." Make sure you know the email sender before you open an attachment or click on any links.
What is Social Engineering?Social Engineering is the art of influencing, manipulating, or deceiving you in order to gain control over your computer system. The hacker might use the phone, email, regular mail, or direct contact to gain illegal access. Phishing, spear phishing, and CEO Fraud are all examples.
Click here to get more information on social engineering (e.g. phishing, spear phishing, CEO Fraud, etc.).