Standard Bank Blog

There are several steps you can take to stay secure online.  We have discussed some before.  Below are a few more, some of which are more advanced.

1. Install an anti-virus program and make sure that it stays updated.  While most of today's programs update automatically, you should check to make sure they are working properly.

2. Do not open email attachments even if they are from someone you know.  Open them only if you are expecting them, you know the person sending them, and you know what they contain.

3. Do not fall for phishing schemes or other emails where they try to get your personal information.

4. Update your operating system regularly.  Just like #1 it should happen automatically but it is good practice to check.

5. Be careful about the websites you visit.  Do not visit questionable or suspicious websites.  Do not download software from any website unless you know it is trustworthy.

6. Use a firewall.  If you do not have a router, turn on the firewall that comes with your operating system.

7. If you are using Vista or Mac OSX, or even Linux you should create an account for daily use that does not have administrative rights.  That way it will have restricted rights if a piece of malware gets into your system.

8. Even with good habits, you need to run an anti-spyware program to scan and remove spyware from your computer.

9. Shop at Secure Sites.  If you shop on the Internet, enter your personal information and credit card number only on a secure Web page.

Credit and Debit Cards are a great convenience but they are one that should not be taken for granted.  The magnetic strip on the back holds all the card's data and thieves want that info.  One way for them to get it is called skimming.  Skimming is the act of scanning your card while you use it, such as getting cash from an ATM, without you noticing.  There are many places this type of theft can take place such as the ATM, gas station, kiosks etc.

To prevent this you have to know what you are looking for.  A skimmer is a device placed over the normal card slot on a machine.  The thief is the scanning your card on its way into or out of the machine.  When you see a machine that looks like there is something attached to it, move on.  An example is pictured on the right.

Another type of skimming can occur when your card is given to someone to be scanned they can use their own scanner to read the data.  They are easy to conceal, as there are types that will fit into the palm of your hand.  Some thieves are not as high tech and just take photos of the front and back of the card.

Skimmers are sometimes very hard to spot so as a backup you should monitor your accounts and call immediately if something suspicious shows up.  In addition, remember when using your PIN always remember to block it from view!

• Maintaining the nation's monetary policy – stabilize employment, prices, and rates
• Regulating banking institutions – assure the safety of consumer’s money
• Providing financial services – processing checks, electronic payments, and distributing money to consumer banks
• Conducting research – staying informed on the economy in the US and abroad
• Educating consumers – publishing information about banking through print, website, seminars, and speeches

Shoulder surfing is not the new way to catch a wave in the ocean.  It is one of the many ways criminals obtain the information they need to steal your identity!  So what is shoulder surfing?

Think back to your classroom days when you caught your desk neighbor peaking over your shoulder.  That is shoulder surfing.  Some will say that is innocent, and it might be.  The kind of shoulder surfing that we are focusing on is not.  Here is a prime example.  You are in line at the ATM and there is a person behind you or next to you hawking your transaction.  This can also happen at a store while making a purchase with your debit card and using a PIN.  This is how they get your PIN but they can also get your card number in a similar fashion.  Some people take out their card and set it down on the counter, which gives the thief a prime opportunity to get the numbers off the front.

There are many ways to shoulder surf for information and thankfully, there are strategies to prevent it from happening to you.

Someone famous once said, "Online Bill Pay is the greatest thing since power door locks."  Okay we made that up, but trust us when we say that Bill Pay is a very handy tool.  Bill Pay offers a wide range of benefits, but the best feature it provides is that it saves time.

Online Bill Pay services save time and money by allowing you to electronically pay your bills from the comfort of your home or work computer, as long as the boss is not looking!  Running out of stamps is no longer going to come between you and getting your bills paid on time...

Between 2000 and 2010, the number of houses using Bill Pay increased nearly eight fold.  As you can see people are using it but what is in it for you?

Online Bill Pay is both convenient and secure.  It saves time and most importantly money by eliminating trips to the post office and the other supplies associated with bills such as envelopes and checks.  Not to sound like an infomercial...  But wait there's more!

    Avoid Late Fees - Many Bill Pay services have built in alerts to help you manage due dates and...
    
    Automation - There is no need to hit the pay button every month.  Bill Pay allows you to automatically send the money on a given day each month.

    Speed - After the initial setup everything is saved on the secure Bill Pay site so you just login and enter the bill amount, choose the day and pay.  You can even pay multiple bills at once to reduce the stress on your click finger!

    Accessibility - You can pay your bills from anywhere without wondering what address to mail it to.  Bill Pay saves everything so it is at your fingertips wherever you go and...

    Electronic Statements - With Electronic Statements, you have the bill wherever you are as well.  These online statements also provide you a storage site for all of your bills so you always know where to look for them.

    Security - Bill Pay helps you avoid one of the most common means of identity theft, mail theft.  Bill Pay uses the most current technology to protect your data.  Multiple layers of security are always used and being updated to stay ahead.

The paperless world is expanding and perhaps it is time for you to think about joining it?  There are so many benefits with everything consolidated in one spot, no paper to lose and you have access anywhere.  Online Bill Pay is the quickest, safest, and most convenient way to pay bills.

Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase you will make and one of the biggest assets you will have to protect.

The Home Insurance Policy serves as protection from natural disasters, weather, unexpected damages, and civil disobedience.  Should one of these events occur to you and your home, a home insurance policy will help you eliminate any significant financial burden and assist in placing you and your family back on your feet.

The three most important parts of a home insurance policy are:

Dwelling Coverage – This covers the actual structure.

Personal Property – This provides protection for your personal items that are not permanently attached to the home.

Personal Liability – Provides protection against lawsuits arising from occurrences that result in a non-resident being injured on the property.

A home insurance policy can be tailored to meet your needs based on your specific situation including the addition of water backup, identity theft, home based businesses, etc.  Combining your home and auto policies with the same company can result in significant discounts for both products.

Most lenders will require you to have a home insurance policy equal to the principal of the mortgage or loan amount.  However, it is important to insure your home for Replacement Cost instead of Market Value.  Replacement cost is the cost of rebuilding the exact same home in the exact same location based on the current building costs for your community.  In today’s home market, the purchase price has been deflated but the cost to rebuild the structure if a claim occurs is significantly higher.

It is always best to discuss your options with a qualified insurance representative who will assist you in the process, from providing quotes when first searching for your home to supplying the documentation that you will need at closing and then reviewing your coverages on an annual basis to make certain that you are properly protected as your needs change.