Keep your security software updated: Absa

In a concerted effort to combat potential online identity theft and fraud, Internet Banking and online shopping users are urged to usecomprehensivesecurity software or at least anti-virus software to protect themselves from cyber criminals.

While Internet Banking and online shopping provide fantastic convenience, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that they adhere to proper and safe use of the internet, especially when transacting online.

This is according to Christo Vrey, Managing Executive of Absa Digital Channels, who advises clients to ensure they have quality security software and to regularly update it.

“Absa’s over one million Internet Banking clients are able to request or download, free of charge, the latest Trend Micro™ Internet Security Pro 2009 – a best-of-breed security software suite valued at hundreds of rand.”

Vrey explains that Trend Micro™ Internet Security Pro 2009 protects your home or office computers against viruses, spyware and other malicious threats.

A number of new additions to the 2009 version of Trend Micro ensure the software maintains pace with the evolving technical methods used by online fraudsters.

There is also a Mobile version of the Trend Micro product to secure Cellphone Banking clients’ mobile devices from any Web- or SMS-based threats.

“Absa’s internationally-recognised Internet Banking security has allowed us to securely process over R700 billion over the past 12 months. However, all customers are urged to take the steps necessary to ensure their own security,” Vrey advises.

Security software ensures clients enjoy a secure online experience, when used in combination with the following simple protection measures:

• Keep your access information secure (account number, user number, and all PIN numbers and passwords)
• Ignore phishing emails (emails purportedly sent by your bank requesting you confirm or update your login details)
• Ensure you are logged on to your bank’s genuine Internet Banking site by checking the address in the browser line (for Absa, this is https://ib.absa.co.za/ib/ib.jsp for instance)
• Ensure you see a lock and key icon either at the top of the Internet browser window or at the bottom – depending on your browser
• Refrain from banking at public terminals like Internet Cafes
• Only provide credit card details to reputable companies; and look for the lock and key icon and security certificates when shopping online

Absa, and in fact all major banks, continually strive to protect its clients from online identity theft. The measures that the Absa has in place include:

• A two-phase logon system
• A PIN number and alpha-numeric password
• A virtual keypad on the screen
• Mandatory logon alerts via SMS – at no cost to the client
• One-time passwords (RVNs) for certain transactions – at no cost to the client
• Free PC-Cillin security software available to all Internet Banking clients
• A SurePhrase™ message (customised welcome greeting that cannot be duplicated by a spoofed site)
• Ongoing customer education and awareness about how tobank online securely