- A good rule of thumb is, always treat emails from unknown sources as potential threats. This doesn't mean you should panic; it means you should always be vigilant.
- Make sure your antivirus protection is always up-to-date.
- If you suspect unauthorized access to your computer, take it in to a trusted computer technician or service to have it examined.
- Use a firewall. A firewall is typically software (but sometimes hardware) that blocks unlawful access to your computer.
- Beware of pop-up windows that advertise special offers or those that warn you that your computer may be infected. These may actually compromise your computer's security!
- Do not install pirated software.
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- Stay up-to-date with operating system and other software updates such as those for your Internet browser and Microsoft products.
- If you get an email offering these updates, do not click a link in the email. Rather, use the system update program that comes with your computer.
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- A good password is one that others could not guess easily but that you can remember. By making it memorable, you never have to carry it in your wallet or keep it on a piece of paper in your desk drawer – neither of which should ever happen.
- Avoid using common, easy passwords like birthdays, anniversaries or names.
- Some websites have specific requirements for passwords, such as beginning with a capital letter and containing a number. Others give you more freedom. Always opt for the more unusual combination of letters and numbers and, where available, symbols such as the exclamation point as well.
- Never give your password to anyone, not even a bank representative or someone who is helping you log into your account.
- Create unique logins for online banking that you don't use anywhere else (for example, social media).
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Thieves can take hard drives out of one computer and load them onto another to read their contents. With the right skills, these criminals can even salvage previously deleted data. Specialized software is available so you can permanently erase your hard drive. Or, you can remove the hard drive from your computer and physically destroy it and the platters inside.
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Just as there are convincing looking websites, there are equally convincing looking emails that contain links to fraudulent websites. These emails may look like they came from Hometown Bank or another trustworthy sender, but you can often detect something not quite right.
Telltale signs of phishing and spoofing emails:
- A need for personal information. Hometown Bank will never request your personal information, not even your ATM PIN.
- Urgent requests and system updates. Many of these scam emails state that your account may be closed if you fail to confirm, verify or authenticate your personal information via email. We would never contact you about a security problem in this manner.
- Offers that sound too good to be true. Beware of emails containing a customer service survey that promises some type of reward for your time, only to be asked for your account number to receive the reward.
- Typos and other errors. A good deal of fraudulent emails are generated by foreign or poorly educated individuals, so you will often find typos, grammatical errors, awkward language and abnormal visual design. A logo may be an older version or the wrong color.
Steps you can take to protect against phishing and spoofing:
- Delete any suspicious email you receive.
- Before clicking any links on a legitimate looking email, hover over the link with your mouse pointer and examine the destination for that link when it pops up or shows along the bottom of your program window. If the pop-up address doesn't point to the correct site, that's the sign of a potentially disreputable website.
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Viruses, spyware and Trojans are often grouped under the term "malware," short for malicious software. Malware installs itself on a computer when a person downloads an untrusted file. Once installed, malware can collect personal information and send it to another computer where the personal data can be used to commit fraud. Here are some ways to protect yourself:
- Only download files and attachments you trust.
- Just because a good friend sent you a joke, screensaver or other file type, doesn't mean it's safe. Many people unknowingly download Trojans or viruses and end up sending them to all their email contacts.
- Many online ads ask for personal or financial information. Never enter this information on a site unless you trust the company behind it.
- Make sure your antivirus and other security software is set to update at least weekly. Run periodic system software updates as well.
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Some cybercriminals now use computer telephony – Voice over IP – to make calls to you. You'll receive an automated message telling you unusual activity has been detected on your bank account. You are instructed to contact Hometown Bank (your caller ID may be tricked into displaying "Hometown Bank").
You may also receive emails and text messages that include fraudulent phone numbers. A good way to know if the call is real or not is to simply call your local Hometown Bank using the phone number you normally use. Then, let our office know about the call or message you received.
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Scam artists are putting up especially convincing imposter websites. Some of them can fool even the experts.
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"S" is for Secure
Look in the address bar. You should see "https" at the beginning of the address, indicating the connection to that site is "secure." Most legitimate websites begin with "http." It does not mean that other sites cannot be trusted; it merely means they are not protected with additional security for activities such as online banking.
- View the digital certificate
Look for and click on the lock icon to view the site's digital certificate.
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