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Security Tips

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Security Tips & Cyber Security Information

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ONLINE BANKING USER SECURITY TIPS

  • Use strong passwords.  Choose a password with at least 8 characters and a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
  • Do not use the same passwords for multiple sites or accounts
  • Change your password regularly
  • Never share your password with anyone
  • Do not write your password down or store it online
  • Use different passwords for each online system you access
  • Never use the “remember my ID and password” option on your computer
  • Use Online Banking only on secure computers and never leave it unattended during an online banking session.  Public computers should be used with extra caution and not to conduct financial transactions.
  • Conduct financial transactions only with trusted and secure sites.  Check for secure transaction symbols like a lock symbol in the lower right hand corner of your web browser or https:// in the address bar of the website.  The “s” indicates “secured” and means the web page uses encryption.
  • Always log off your banking session and close your browser
  • Monitor your account online and review your monthly checking account statements


E-MAIL SECURITY TIPS

  • Never provide confidential information such as account numbers, Social Security number or passwords over the phone or the internet.  Madison County Bank will never e-mail you requesting this information.
  • Do not open e-mail attachment from unknown senders
  • Be aware of e-mail scams and also phishing and pharming attacks.  Phishing involves an e-mail that appears to be from a known sender.  It typically provides a link to a phony website where you are asked to provide personal or account information.  Never respond to an e-mail asking for confidential information.  Pharming involves redirection from a legitimate website to another bogus website in an attempt to get your personal information.
  • Use an e-mail filtering software (spam).  This will help reduce the likelihood that a virus or worms will install a malicious program on your computer or that you will receive e-mail phishing attempts.


COMPUTER SECURITY TIPS

  • Keep your computer operating system and software up to date by applying the latest security patches
  • Install antivirus software on your personal computer and keep it updated
  • Install a firewall
  • Use antispyware as this can help prevent your activities from being monitored
  • Perform frequent scans on your computer to help detect viruses


MOBILE BANKING SECURITY

  • Lock your phone with a strong password or PIN so it is not easily accessed.
  • Do not leave your phone unattended where others can use it.
  • Enable the “time-out” or “auto-lock” feature that secures your phone when left unused for a certain period of time.
  • Use anti-virus or anti-malware software to protect your phone.
  • Never open attachments or download files from an unfamiliar source.
  • Research any applications (“apps”) before downloading them to your phone.
  • Be cautious of responding to text messages or emails from someone you don’t know.
  • Madison County Bank would never send an email or text message requesting account information or your User ID or password.  If you get such a request, be sure to call the bank.
  • Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you’re not using them.
  • Don’t use unsecured Wi-Fi networks to conduct banking business.
  • Keep your mobile device operating system up to date with the latest software and security downloads.
  • Don’t disclose personal information in text messages and purge your text messages regularly.
  • Limit the amount of personal information you store on your mobile device.  Never store usernames and passwords on your device.  Don’t allow mobile browsers to store mobile banking credentials.
  • Don’t forget to sign out after you’ve finished Mobile Banking.

Best Practices to employ in the event your mobile device is ever lost or stolen

  • Log in to Online Banking from your PC and change your Online Banking password immediately.  Even if your password is known by the person who finds your phone, or if you have saved the password in the phone, it will not work if your password has been changed.
  • Log in to Online Banking from your PC and go to Manage Devices and Click Deactivate on your phone listed.
  • Report the loss to your phone carrier and ask them to disable the old phone and wipe if necessary.
  • Contact Madison County Bank to let us know about the loss.  We can deactivate your phone from Mobile Banking also.
  • As always, whenever there is a possibility of an unauthorized access to your account, you should watch your account closely to insure no unauthorized transaction appear.