Bank safely online - Ways to bank

When using the Internet, including Internet Banking, always try to use hard-to-guess passwords.

Passwords will only keep outsiders out if they are difficult to guess! Don't share your password, and don't use the same password in more than one place. If someone should happen to guess one of your passwords, you don't want them to be able to use it in a number of places.

Remember the five golden rules of passwords.

1. Do not choose a password that is easily identified with you (for example, your date of birth, telephone number or your name or any part of it).
2. A password should have a minimum of eight characters, be as meaningless as possible and use uppercase letters, lowercase letters and numbers eg xk28LP97.
3. Change passwords regularly, at least every 30 days.
4. Do not give out your password to anyone! Be wary of unsolicited calls or emails requesting personal information or card numbers. Neither ANZ nor the police would ask you to disclose PIN’s or password information.
5. Do not write your password down even if it is disguised.

Ensure you are the only person that knows your user access and password.

To ensure you are the only person that knows your personal access information, all access to your computer and banking information should not be written down or accessible to other persons, even if you believe it is disguised.

Do not disclose your password to anyone including a family member, friend or an ANZ staff member.

Notify ANZ immediately if you become aware that your password has become known or used by someone else.

If you suspect that your password has become known to a third party, contact the ANZ Internet Banking Help Desk immediately on 13 33 50 to have your password reset.

Using ANZ Internet Banking in public places - staying safe.

• Be wary of your surroundings and ensure no one is observing you when entering in your Customer Registration Number (CRN) or password.
• Never click on links embedded within emails, rather enter the URL directly into the location/address bar.
• Ensure that there is a padlock symbol in the bottom right corner of your browser.
• Never click the 'save my password/details' option sometimes offered.
• Never change security details such as your password in a public place (ie libraries, Internet cafes).
• Do not leave your computer unattended or idle for long periods of time.
• Always log out from your Internet banking session when you have finished and close the browser.
• Try to use computers that have anti-virus software installed.
  

Is your computer and information protected from viruses? Ensure your virus protection software is always up-to-date.

A computer virus is a program that attaches itself to another program, but changes the action of that program so that the virus is able to spread. Viruses range from harmless pranks that merely show an annoying message, to programs that can destroy or disable a computer altogether.

Anti-virus software is designed to better protect you and your computer against known viruses, worms and Trojan Horses. A Trojan Horse is a malicious program disguised as something harmless, such as a game or a screen saver, but in fact contains hidden code that allows an intruder to take control of your machine without your knowledge.

Being protected means three things:

1. Having protection on your computer in the first place.
2. Checking for new Internet security protection software updates daily.
3. Scanning all the files on your computer periodically including incoming and outgoing emails.

• For more information see Security software.

For more effective Internet protection, try using a firewall as a gatekeeper between your computer and the Internet.

A firewall is a piece of software or hardware that filters all Internet traffic between your computer and the outside world. It works to either block or permit Internet traffic to and from your computer. You can use the Firewall to better protect your home or business computer and any personal information it holds from offensive websites, spam and unauthenticated logins from potential hackers.

A Firewall is seen to be essential for those that use their computers online, especially through the use of a cable modem.

For more information see Security software.

Is your computer security up-to-date? You should check your computer security on a regular basis and download the latest security upgrades.

Security is essential in protecting your information on the Internet. To do this, check your software vendors' web sites on a regular basis for new security upgrades, or use the automated patching features that some companies offer. The programs and operating system on your computer may have valuable features that make your life easier, but can also leave you vulnerable to hackers and viruses. You should evaluate your computer security on a regular basis.

Be cautious! Do not open email attachments from unknown sources.

Email is one of the prime movers for malicious viruses. Regardless of how enticing the 'subject' or attachment may look, be cautious. Any unexpected email, especially those with attachments (from someone you may or may not know), could contain a virus and may have been sent without that person's knowledge from an infected computer. Should you receive an email of this kind and you are doubtful of its legitimacy, delete it.

Make sure your family members and/or your employees know what to do if a computer becomes infected.

It's important that everyone who uses a computer is aware of proper security practices. People should know how to update virus protection software, how to download security upgrades from software vendors and how to create a proper password.

Ensure you log on to Internet Banking the correct way.

Always log on to Internet Banking by entering the website address www.anz.com into the address bar.

Never access ANZ Internet Banking from a link in an email and enter personal details. If in doubt, contact the ANZ Internet Banking Help Desk on 13 33 50.

Look for the security features such as the website address and the 'padlock' symbol at the bottom of your web browser.

There are two ways that you can generally verify that you are logging in to a secure web page, check that:

One, the website address changes from http:// to https://.

And two, a 'padlock' symbol appears at the bottom of your web browser. The 'padlock' symbol indicates that the page you are on has additional security. You can double-click the padlock symbol to view the certificate's details.

You can verify the authenticity of the 'padlock'.

Double click on the 'padlock' symbol and ensure that the certificate:

• is issued to www.anz.com
• is issued by VeriSign
• has a valid start and expiry date.

Authentic certificate example:

If you receive a warning message (for example name mismatch, invalid date, untrusted certifying authority or failed to retrieve revocation list), please terminate the Internet session immediately and contact the ANZ Internet Banking Help Desk on 13 33 50.

Do not leave your computer connected (online) when not in use.

When leaving your computer unattended, you should either shut it down or physically disconnect from the Internet connection. This lessens the chance that someone will be able to access your computer.

When viewing or using your personal information on the Internet, be aware of your environment.

Care should always be taken in unknown areas to prevent any other persons viewing your personal information, including when typing in your passwords or details of account numbers on the Internet. Be cautious when accessing public computers or any computers you do not control.

What should I do if I receive a hoax email?

1. Delete the email
   If you receive a hoax email, delete the email immediately. Do not click on any links and; do not open any attachments. Never provide personal details or sensitive information such as your PIN, password, customer registration information or other log on details. ANZ does not send out emails requesting personal or account information.
   
2. Report the incident
   All hoax email incidents should be reported to ANZ's Internet Banking Helpdesk on 13 33 50 (International +61 3 9683 8833). Please refer to the helpdesk for any further questions.
   
3. Scan your computer for viruses
   Many hoax emails contain viruses or Trojan Horses (key logger), which are downloaded to your computer when you open any attachments or select any included links. If you have clicked on any items within the email, run a complete virus check of your computer. ANZ recommends that you perform virus scans on your computer regularly.
   
4. Reset your Internet Banking password
   After scanning your computer and ensuring it is free of viruses or Trojans, reset your Internet Banking password by calling ANZ’s Internet Banking Helpdesk on 13 33 50 (International +61 3 9683 8833).
   

I don't have anti-virus protection.

Computers without anti-virus protection or out-of-date anti-virus programs are vulnerable to future attacks by malicious software like viruses or Trojans. Anti-virus programs are a simple and inexpensive way to protect your personal details from these threats.

A number of different vendors such as Symantec and Trend Micro can provide complete suites of Internet security software.

ANZ recommends that you do not use ANZ Internet Banking until you have up-to-date anti-virus protection.

I received a hoax email from another financial institution.

Hoax emails can imitate any organisation or financial institution. You may receive emails imitating organisations that you have no affiliation with.

If you receive a hoax email claiming to be from another organisation or financial institution, delete the email immediately and scan your computer for viruses. Do not click on any links or open any attachments.