Security is our priority. It should be yours as well. So here is a list of ways you can make sure all your finances and personal details are kept safe.
> Stay one step ahead of the criminals
> Staying secure online
> Combating spyware
> Viruses
> Identity theft
> Golden rules for safe online banking
> Online shopping
> Social networking
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Stay one step ahead of the criminals
Safe online banking calls for a combination of cutting-edge technology, industry knowledge and good old common sense.
Even as fraudsters come up with ever-more intricate plans, we're staying one step ahead of them.
If you're in any doubt about how you should act, refer to our top tips. In addition, there are now many useful websites designed to help you bank safely online.
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Staying secure online
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Combating spyware
'Spyware' are programmes or files that often arrive as hidden parts of 'free' programmes and monitor what you look at on the web before reporting back to companies who sell the information.
They're relatively harmless. But some can pick up everything you type, so people can snoop on all your computer activity.
What are the tell-tale signs?
If your computer starts to run slowly, behave strangely or have any of the symptoms listed below.
How do you avoid it?
Research any free software you download to see if it's genuine.
What should you do if this happens?
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Viruses
A virus is a computer programme that copies itself into other programmes stored in your computer. It may be benign, but it usually has a negative impact - from slowing things down to corrupting memory or files. Viruses are now mainly spread by email and file sharing services.
What are the tell-tale signs?
Here are some of the symptoms:
How do you avoid it?
What should you do if this happens?
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Identity theft
Identity theft affects over 100,000 people every year.
With a few personal details, a criminal can open new bank accounts, get new credit cards, claim benefits and apply for official documents like a driving licence - all in your name, and all traceable to you.
What are the tell-tale signs?
Possible signs that someone's stolen your identity include:
How do you avoid it?
What should you do this happens?
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Golden rules for safe online banking
There are lots of ways to reduce the chance of fraud happening to you:
> Your security details
> Your devices
> Email
> Using other computers
Your security details
Your devices
Using other computers
We are grateful to all customers who forward us these emails. We investigate all emails we receive, though are not always able to respond directly to them.
Check your statements regularly and if you have any doubts about anything, let us know.
You can send us a secure message when logged on to Online Banking or, our Technical Support Staff are on hand to help. So if you have any problems, call 0845 600 4388 or pop into a branch and ask a member of staff for advice.
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Online shopping
More and more people are shopping online. The choice is enormous, the prices often cheaper and the process convenient.
But since people, on average, now spend more than £100 each month online, more and more criminals are also trying their luck at scams. In fact, phishing sites that resemble e-commerce companies recently tripled in number during just three months.
> Use familiar websites
> Look for the lock
> Don't tell all
> Check your statements
> Inoculate your device
> Use strong passwords
> Stay at home
> Privatise your Wi-Fi
> If it's too good to be true, it's probably fake
Use familiar websites
Start by using trusted sites and entering addresses in your browser. Search engines can get it wrong and accidentally lead you to non-trustworthy sites, especially on later link pages. If you know the site, it's less likely to be a fake.
Beware of misspellings or sites using different endings, for example .net instead of .com. Their prices might look enticing. But that's how they get you to enter your details.
Look for the lock
Never, ever, buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn't have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed.
How can you tell? The address will start with https: (instead of http:) and a locked padlock icon will appear in your web browser.
Don't tell all
Don't give anyone your credit card details by email. And remember that, while certain information is needed to complete a transaction - some isn't. Use your common sense. For example, you'll never need to enter your National Insurance number to buy something, and be wary about giving out your date of birth. An unscrupulous character with that data and your credit card number can do a lot of damage.
When you can, give the least amount of information possible. And certainly never use the same password(s) for shopping sites and Online Banking.
Check your statements
Don't wait for your statements. Log onto Online Banking regularly and keep track of what's hit your accounts. If anything's suspicious, contact our e-Banking Helpdesk on 0845 600 4388 (7am-11pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-9pm Sundays).
Inoculate your device
Criminals aren't sitting around, waiting for you to give them your data. They're actively trying to help things along. Be aware of their tactics, from Trojans to 419 emails and regularly update your anti-virus software.
Use strong passwords
Strong, hard to copy passwords use a string of text that mixes numbers, upper and lower case letters, and special characters. It should be at least eight characters - preferably many more. And characters should be random - not words, alphabetical or from your keyboard layout.
How to make a strong password
1) Spell a word backwards, e.g. 'icecream' becomes 'maerceci'
2) Use l33t speak, where you substitute numbers for certain letters, e.g. 'maerceci' becomes
'ma3rc3c1'
3) Randomly throw in capital letters, e.g. 'ma3rc3c1' becomes 'Ma3rc3c1'
Important - if you get to choose a login name and password, make them different.
Stay at home
By nature, it's riskier using a public computer to buy something. But if you do, make sure you log out every time. And that goes for every site your use - even if you're just checking email.
Also, if you're using your own laptop or smartphone, think about your surroundings. Can anyone peer over your shoulder? We'd recommend sitting with your back to the wall, facing the door.
Privatise your Wi-Fi
If you do decide to go out with the laptop to shop, you'll be on a Wi-Fi connection. Only use the wireless if you access the Web over a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
If it's too good to be true, it probably a fake
A virus software company recently compiled a list of scams to look for. One of them offers a free gift with a purchase, another, a short-term job offer. And many of these 'offers' were advertised over social media, so be aware that even your friends might innocently forward you a scam. Scepticism is a small price to pay for keeping your card numbers safe.
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Social networking
From Facebook to Twitter, LinkedIn to Digg, the number of social networking sites continues to grow. They're part of our daily lives. They breach many corporate firewalls, are among our most-used smartphone apps and can be vital job search tools.
Unfortunately, they often counter your efforts to protect yourself from identity theft, leaving a trail of personal information that criminals can use for their own ends.
So - beware of sharing too much information, and practice safe social networking.
> Things you should never share online
> Customise your privacy options
> Your security details
> Reduce "LinkedIn" details
> Don't assume - verify it!
> Avoid accidentally sharing personal details
> Search yourself
> Know who your friends are
Things you should never share online
In addition to your passwords and PIN Numbers, never share your:
All these facts can be used to get other pieces of information, which can then be used to complete security checks.
Customise your privacy options
Social networking sites give you lots of privacy control settings - don't settle for the defaults.
Check out the configuration, learn about the different areas and see what options you have. Your aim should be to limit who can see various aspects of your personal information.
And keep checking back. New settings are often added over time, and sometimes social networking companies merge - with new owners changing privacy terms, acceptable use policies and user agreements.
Reduce "LinkedIn" details
Don't put your full resume online for everyone to see. Limit your work history too. If you do need to add more information during a job search, do so. But once you've landed a position, cut out the extra details and leave just enough to attract interested recruiters.
Remember that you can stop others accessing your network of contacts. It's common practice - sales professionals and recruiters don't want to expose their valuable network to people who might poach customers or prospects.
Don't assume - verify it!
Many people impersonate others online - for pranks, but equally, it's the first step towards defaming someone or stealing their identity for financial gain.
With social networking, verify that the page you're looking at genuinely belongs to the person you think it does before you share too much information or click on links.
How? Look for anything unusual or out of the ordinary. And naturally, if the content doesn't sound like it's from the person it should be, avoid it and either e-mail or call your friend to verify it.
Avoid accidentally sharing personal details
You wouldn't put a note saying 'Away for the weekend - back Monday' on your front door. So why do it on Twitter? Social networking tools like 'What's on your mind?' make it easy to let details slip. Think about what you're broadcasting - and how others might benefit from it.
Search yourself
To get a good idea about what others can see, search your name on Google and check out the social network profiles that appear.
Get an understanding of where you show up - and adjust your profile, settings and habits appropriately. If you see your name in locations you don't visit, someone could be using your identity.
You can even set up a Google alert for your name. It'll email you when Google finds your name on sites. Depending on your name, you may have to sift through quite a few mentions. However, you may still learn a lot about where you're appearing online.
Know who your friends are
There's no popularity contest. More 'friends' equals more people with access to your information. If you do get an unsolicited invitation to connect, check it out thoroughly before you accept.