While all reasonable security precautions have been taken by us, the nature of communication by the Internet is such that the Credit Union cannot always guarantee the privacy or confidentiality of your information passing over the Internet. By using and accessing this Site and in availing of our services, members accepts that electronic mail messaging may not be free from interference by third parties and may not remain confidential.
Even if you feel that you are secured on the Internet, you can still be vulnerable to a variety of security threats, such as Viruses, Adware, Malware, Spam, Trojan horses, Spyware, and ‘Phishing’ scams.
Viruses are probably the most dangerous of all security threats. They are computer programs that can infect any computer or device and do a variety of damaging things, such as stealing private data, messing with settings and applications, and even rendering your devices or programs unusable.
Cookies are designed to put an identifier on your hard drive so that certain websites can remember you when you visit, or remember what you do when you are on a particular website. There are two main types of cookies: session cookies and permanent cookies. Session cookies are usually used for individual browsing sessions and are common with shopping websites, for keeping track of items in your shopping basket for example. Permanent cookies help retain user preferences for a particular website.
Most cookies are relatively harmless, but tracking cookies monitor your browsing information and this can be used by hackers to obtain personal details, such as bank account and credit card information. The good news is that cookies can be deleted via the settings menu of your browser.
Phishing usually involves emails or texts that impersonate a person or institution that you know.
Among the most common are emails from banks explaining that there is a ‘problem’ with your account and urging you to verify your personal information or PIN number. “Verifying” this information provides those who are running phishing scams which your personal account data which is then used fraudulently. Oftentimes, phishing scams involve ‘clone’ websites that look just like the real thing, but a little careful scrutiny can often reveal them as fraudulent.
How to avoid Phishing Scams
Communicate personal information only via secure websites (https) that have been verified by a third-party security company, such as Symantec, that displays a Norton Secured symbol.
Adware:
Adware is software that presents pop-up and browser ads on a computer. Adware can be downloaded and installed to your computer automatically while you are browsing and can infect Windows and Apple systems. To protect against Adware, you should install and run a good security program like Microsoft Security Essentials or Malwarebytes.
Spyware:
Spyware monitors the websites you visit and notes personal information that you have entered, which means that hackers can use it to hack into your online banking or other online accounts. Spyware is usually installed unknowingly when you download other programs or applications. Spyware most commonly infects computers when freeware programs are downloaded.
If you would like more information please contact Wexford Credit Union today.
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