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| Far West Bank Security Center |
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Far West Bank is committed to customer security and privacy. Protecting your privacy, security, and personal information is of the utmost importance. Using high-level security and monitoring, we're able to provide online technologies that ensure your online security.
User IDs and Passwords
For every online service you access you probably have a User ID and Password. When creating your accounts try to come up with an original password, and make sure to protect it. Commit your passwords to memory, and never share or give out your information.
Try to avoid the following easily identifiable items when creating a password:
- Your birth date or a family member's date of birth
- Your name, a family member's name, or a pet
- Social Security Number
- Phone numbers
- Dates of important events
Here's some tips for creating a good password:
- Use a combination of letters, numbers, and punctuation
- Long passwords are better
- Be sure it's something you can remember without writing it down
Make sure you have Anti-Virus Software installed and running
A number of viruses can infect your computer through a variety of mediums: CDs, e-mail, e-mail attachments, websites, and downloaded files. Anti-Virus Software can help protect your computer from most viruses, worms, and Trojans. In order to maximize use of an Anti-Virus program, you must keep the software running and up-to-date. Viruses are being developed on a daily basis and it is up to you, the user, to make sure your software is continually updated and has the most current virus definitions or fixes.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is the act of sending an e-mail falsely claiming to be an established, legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, Social Security, and bank account numbers. The website, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user's information.
How to spot Phishing Scams
Look for warning signs:
- Language and tone: The e-mail messages usually urge you to act quickly and make a suggestion that your account is vulnerable. You may be threatened with suspension of your account if you fail to confirm your personal or account information. In addition, the wording of the e-mail may be sloppy or contain misspellings.
- Requests for personal information: Phishing e-mails typically ask for personal or account information such as:
- Account number
- Credit & check card numbers
- Social Security Numbers
- Online banking User IDs and Passwords
- Date of birth
- Mother's maiden name
- Other confidential information
- Instructions to download software: Some scams will insist that in order to continue using online banking you must download "banking software" . Online banking should be done through a secure website, and under no circumstances should you install software directly from an e-mail.
- Non-secure websites: Often scams will have websites built that look nearly identical to authentic sites. It is even possible for the site to display whatever URL (web address) they desire. Watch for non-secure websites asking for sensitive information. Remember, secure sites will typically say "https" in the URL. They frequently display the lock icon
 in the corner of your screen.
Safety Tips
- Be suspicious of demanding messages.
- Be cautious and aware of downloads.
- Always protect your password.
- Keep your computer, security measures, and anti-virus update
E-mail Attachments
Viruses and worms originating from e-mail are a fairly common problem. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you come across an infected attachment.
- Is the e-mail from someone you know?
- Have you received an e-mail from this person before?
- Were you expecting an e-mail with an attachment from this sender?
- Does the subject of the e-mail correspond with who is sending the e-mail? And would you expect this type of an attachment from this sender?
- Finally, does the e-mail attachment contain a virus?
Some e-mail programs, such as Hotmail, contain virus scanner software that scan each attachment when uploading attachments for senders and downloading for receivers. Other methods of scanning require anti-virus software to be installed on your machine.
Keeping Your System Updated
When purchasing software it is a good idea to find out how the vendor provides customer support. Most vendors provide free software updates, or patches, that fix problems in their products. You can usually access these updates from the vendor's website.
Backing Up Your Information
In keeping with good security practices, as well as good computer maintenance, it is a good idea to back-up important files and folders. You can back-up files in a variety of ways: burning CDs, saving to floppy disc, memory stick, or online storage.
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