Protect Yourself

Just as you play a vital role in ensuring the security of your home and your possessions, you too share in the responsibility for ensuring that your personal information is adequately protected.

In order for us to ensure that only you are accessing your accounts, we need a unique way of knowing that it's you. Just as the key to your home protects unwanted entry, the online banking ‘key’—your Password —ensures that only you can access your accounts.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your ‘key’ to the online banking section of this website is protected. Please observe the following security practices:

• Select a Password that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
• Do not select a part of your PIN (your ATM ‘key’) or another password.
• Keep your Password confidential and do not share it with anyone.
• Do not write your Password down or store it in a file on your computer.
• Never disclose your Password in a voice message or email, and do not disclose it over the phone.
• Ensure no one observes you typing in your Password.
• Change your Password on a regular basis. We suggest every 90–120 days.

We have provided a secure channel for our members to communicate with us. Once the information has reached your computer, it's up to you to protect it. To protect your information, you should:

• Never leave your computer unattended while using our online banking services.
• Always exit the site using the Logout button and close your browser if you step away from your computer. Your browser may retain information you entered in the login screen and elsewhere until you exit the browser.
• Prevent the browser from caching (storing) the pages that you view by using the Enhanced Security feature located on the login screen. We strongly recommend that you use this feature if you are accessing the online banking section of the website from a shared computer, such as at a friend's house or through a publicly-accessible computer, such as at a library or airport.
• Secure or erase files stored on your computer by your browser so others cannot read them. Most browsers store information in non-protected (unencrypted) files in the browser's cache to improve performance. These files remain there until erased. They can be erased using standard computer utilities or by using your browser feature to ‘empty’ the cache.
• Disable automatic password-save features in the browsers and software you use to access the Internet.
• Install and use a quality anti-virus program. As new viruses are created each and every day, be sure to update your anti-virus program often. It is recommended you configure your anti-virus program to check for and automatically install updated definitions daily. Scan all download files, programs, disks and attachments and only accept files and programs from a trusted source.
• Install and use a personal firewall on your computer to ensure others cannot access your computer through the Internet.
• Install new security patches as soon as your operating system and Internet browser manufacturers make them available.
• Install an anti-spyware program and check your computer regularly.

You should be extra vigilant when using publicly available computers. Even if you adopt the tips above to protect your information, you need to bear in mind that even benign programs, like popular desktop search programs, can pose a security risk. Certain programs, such as Google Desktop, cache items that you have viewed so you - or potentially, an unwelcome third party - can easily search and find those pages later again.

If you come across a program like this when you are using a public computer, using the Enhanced Security feature located on the login screen will not stop these types of programs from caching the pages you view. You can adjust the search program preferences so it does not store secure pages you wish to view. If you forgot to adjust the preferences before banking online, you can remove the stored items via the Google Desktop results page by clicking on the Remove items link.

To ensure a safe and secure Internet session, only visit reputable sites. If you visit any questionable web site beforehand, we recommend you close your browser and restart it before proceeding to use our online banking services.

• Protect your personal information. Be aware of current online ploys that try to get you to provide personal and/or financial information. Do not respond to unsolicited emails or phone calls that ask for confidential information.
• If you don't know the source of an email or if it looks suspicious, do not open it. Never click on a link or attachment in an email that you suspect may be fake.
• Remember to log off. Ensure that you always properly log off and close your browser. This will prevent others from being able to view this information later.
• Safeguard your PINs and passwords. Never share your passwords and use ones that are difficult to guess, preferably ones that include a mix of letters and numbers. Change your passwords frequently.
• Be wary of pop-up windows, especially those that request financial or identification information. Avoid clicking any "action" buttons within a suspect pop-up window.
• Keep your computer healthy. It is very important to check the websites of your operating system and web browser vendors for software "patches" and updates in order to protect against software vulnerabilities.
• Use antivirus software. Antivirus software can protect you from potentially damaging viruses that can enter your computer without your knowledge. You should always use up-to-date antivirus software and one that is capable of scanning files and email messages for viruses.
• Use personal firewalls. A firewall creates a barrier between your computer and the rest of the Internet. It can help to protect against malicious attacks and block certain types of data from entering your computer.
• Use anti-spyware. Anti-spyware will help to protect your computer against unwanted software from being installed without your knowledge. Anti-spyware also helps protect against slow performance.
• Use anti-spam software. Spam is a growing source of computer viruses. Use up-to-date anti-spam software along with your antivirus software. If you receive spam, remember this: don't try, don't buy and don't reply. Just delete it.