When creating a password for your mobile device:
- If possible, use numbers and symbols as well as letters
- Don’t use your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or re-use other exiting passwords
- Don’t use family names or birthdays as these are easy to guess
Only download mobile apps from official app stores such as the iTunes app store, Google Play store and Blackberry App World. Our apps are only available from official app stores.
When you’re using the mobile banking app in a public place, make sure people can’t look over your shoulder, you can get a privacy screen for your tablet to make it harder for people to see what you’re doing.
Fraudsters often send unsolicited text messages and emails to try and get you to tell them your personal information.
- We will never ask you for your full Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password.
- Never respond to any unexpected or suspicious emails.
- Don't click on any links or attachments within unexpected or suspicious emails.
We recommend that you don’t remove any security controls from your handset/device (this is know as jailbreaking or rooting). Make sure you keep your device’s operating system up to date – upgrades often include increased security measures.
Don’t download content from websites unless you are sure that the website is reputable – this will help to avoid downloading malicious software that enables others to access your personal information.
The latest operating systems - such as Windows XP and above and Mac OS X - can automatically keep themselves up-to-date.
This typically means that you have the option to have updates automatically downloaded as soon as they're available, helping to protect your computer from security breaches. Take the time to review your settings.
You can find out more about updating your operating system by visiting the Microsoft or Apple websites.
It is important to keep ALL software up to date, including Adobe and Java.
Wireless routers are now commonly used in many homes to connect computers to the internet. You should always ensure wireless routers have their security features turned on to protect from malicious attackers searching for wireless networks to break into. Attackers who access your network could anonymously hijack your internet connection and steal personal information stored on your computer.
How to secure your wireless router at home
If you are not sure how to complete some of these tasks, ask someone with computer experience whom you trust to help.Refer to the documentation that came with your hardware to find out how to protect the router Make sure that every computer using your wireless router has a firewall.
Use a strong password to access your wireless router. Get Safe Online provides guidance about how to protect a wireless network.
You need a card reader for the following online banking transactions:
- Set up or change a single or regular payment
- Make a payment for the first time online
- Create or amend a Standing Order
- Change your online banking Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password
- Change your mobile phone details
The card reader provides additional security - the reader generates a code when you put in your debit card. The code is unique, and you have to enter it on your computer keyboard which makes it difficult for criminals to steal money from your account.
We will never ask you to use your card reader to log in to Anytime Banking, and we will never phone you to ask for your card reader details.
When you use your card reader for the first time, you need to activate the reader as follows:
- Log in to online banking
- Click the 'Security' option in the left hand menu
- Choose 'Enable card reader'