Knowledge Is Power:

By Gina Smith
Help Your Users To Help Themselves

		With security being one of your number one priorities, you make every effort to protect your users and their information in every way. You use the latest technology, test your systems regularly, test again to make sure, upgrade, update, and constantly pursue the most secure online environment for your users, but that is about as far as you can go with protection for the user. Unfortunately, you can't protect them from themselves. What you can do is provide your users with enough information to be able to avoid compromising situations with the security of their personal information. By educating your user base, you can reduce the possibility of fraud against the consumer not only while they are using online banking, but as they use the internet in general. Incorporation of a user education program within your marketing plan could not only boost usage of your own product, but also educate those users in how to most effectively protect themselves from falling victim to a scam or hacker. Such a venture can be as simple as a statement stuffer with a few simple pointers, a column in your regular newsletter, or as complex as regular meetings conducted by IT staff, in which customers can ask questions or hear talks regarding personal internet protection strategy. Arming the user with the information that they need is a powerful tool in today's world of hacking and phishing. Learning how to recognize a scam email or the identify the security level of a web site, can mean the difference between being able to sleep at night and losing your hard earned dollar to a thief. At the same time, you are building loyalty within the user base and trust in the services that they are receiving from you.

Among the many topics that would be of interest, here are just a few of the basic strategies that should be covered with your users:

1. Anti-virus software: You may already be using anti-virus software but to be effective, the software should be updated on a regular basis with the latest virus definition files. If you are unsure how to do this, you should refer to the program's Help function.
   
   
2. Security Updates & Patches: From time to time, vulnerabilities are discovered in programs running on your PC. The publisher will then release a "patch" to correct this weakness. These weaknesses are regularly exploited by virus writers and hackers to gain unauthorized access to those computers that have not been patched. To check for patches and updates you should visit the publisher's website, typically in their download section. Make sure you have the latest security updates & patches.
   
   
3. Password Advice: Passwords are the key to your online account information. Avoid using the same password for different systems that are important to you. Doing so puts your money at risk should anyone discover this common password. For this reason, you are strongly advised to have a unique password for any services as critical as your Internet banking. When selecting that password, keep in mind the following:
   


• Be different: Avoid using the same password for different services.
• Don't be personal: Do not be tempted to use passwords that can be easily guessed, e.g. children's names, pets' names, birth dates, telephone numbers.
• Never write them down: We strongly recommend that you never write down or otherwise record your passwords. If, however, you feel that you have no alternative but to do so, you should ensure that you never write down or otherwise record your passwords in a way that can be understood by somebody else.
• In any event, you should never disclose your Internet login details anywhere online except at your usual online banking website which should be accessed in the normal way and never via a link in an email.


4. Use an anti-spyware program: Spyware is the term used to describe programs that run on your computer for the purpose of monitoring and recording the way in which you browse the web and the internet sites you visit. For example, spyware can combine information about your online behavior with that of many other users in order to generate market research data. This information can be bought and sold by companies interested in improving the way websites are designed and how the internet is used. Spyware is not the same as a virus in that it only records what you do rather than altering how your machine works. Because of this, anti-virus software is not effective in identifying and removing spyware; you will need to download and run a specialized anti-spyware program.
   


5. Use personal firewalls: A personal firewall is another small program that helps protect your computer and its contents from outsiders on the Internet. When installed, it stops unauthorized traffic to and from your PC. In most cases, Anti-virus software comes with a personal firewall that can be used along with the virus protection.

To learn more about the security offered through uMonitor New Account Setup and Online Funding with Switch Kit solution, along with other innovative financial technologies, such as Account-to-Account Funds Transfer Service to move your money, call 901.757.1212 to speak with a uMonitor representative today or visit www.umonitor.com or call 901-757-1212 and speak to a sales representative.