Online Security Alert
Online crime is increasingly hitting small and mid-size companies in the U.S., draining those entities’ bank accounts through fraudulent transfers. There have been a few such breaches in our area, though not SpiritBank customers … yet. We do not want
YOU to be subject to this and are therefore pro-actively writing to help increase security measures for your banking accounts with us.
The most serious security breach comes via malware, worms, viruses, etc. These track your sensitive data, including passwords, to allow malicious activity on your systems, including the theft of banking data. Today’s many social online sites allow online intruders unprecedented access to your company and your employees. From there, a simple click by any employee via an email could introduce such malware to your system.
Our first line of defense depends upon you --
1. Use data security and firewall software, such as McAfee or Norton, on all PC’s from which you
access your online banking accounts.
2. Verify that security software is in use and up to date, including your anti-virus and anti-spyware
software.
3. Train your employees to not open emails from unknown sources or click on hyperlinks from
unknown companies. These hyperlinks can have malicious software piggybacking. When the
link is clicked, the program then installs onto the computer.
4. Use standalone PC’s for internet banking activities.
5. Keep banking business information and documentation within the confines of your business.
6. If your business routinely uses ACH transactions, you should establish a separate checking
account with us for the sole purpose of ACH debit or credit transactions. ACH is the most
commonly used mechanism to divert money from your account using stolen information such as
passwords. A separate account provides us both a better way to monitor these transactions.
The new internet banking system to which we recently converted provides many layers of security, the best in banking today, as a second line of defense. But, it is just that – a second line.
It is dependent upon your actions above to secure the first line of defense. You can be certain that we will introduce any additional layers of security as they become available and feasible for our customers. We’ve worked hard to earn your trust and will continue to provide you the best information and security in banking.
Finally, please contact your banking officer for any help with any of these issues. We’re here to help and to serve you! To remain updated on this and any other security issue, please visit the new web page we’ve established for just this purpose:
www.spiritbank.com/learningcenter/security-alerts.