NWCU News

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Ensure your home computer is secure before venturing online

Internet banking through CU@Home is one of many ways we strive to making banking easier and more accessible for members. By providing convenient, 24-hour access to your accounts from the comfort of your own home, CU@Home is understandably popular among many members.
But it’s important to remember that while CU@Home is a tremendous tool for members, it’s essential that you ensure your home computer is secure before using Internet banking.
Think of your computer as the digital equivalent of your wallet. Just like you wouldn’t leave your wallet lying around in the open where someone might grab it, you shouldn’t leave your computer open to attack from criminals looking for vulnerability to exploit.
There are several things you can do to ensure your computer is secure. To begin with, check your anti-virus software and make sure it’s up to date. It’s also a good idea to set up a firewall if at all possible.
Once that’s taken care of, check the version number of your Internet browser and make sure it’s not out of date. If it is, upgrade to the latest version of a browser that offers 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption (examples include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Safari).
Some more tips:
• Install any security updates that may be issued for your computer’s operating system.
• Always use the logout button when you’re done banking on CU@Home.
• Empty your browser’s cache after each session.
If you have more questions about securing your computer before using CU@Home, please contact the credit union.

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