BNU Online Security Advices
Recommendations for a safe use of the Internet
1.  Do not open unknown e-mail messages.
2.  Deactivate the option "Preview Pane" in your e-mail application.
3.  Remove the HTML code from the e-mail messages.
4.  Check the file extensions of the e-mail attachments.
5.  Keep your operative system and your browser updated.
6.  Keep an anti-virus and anti-spyware software available and updated.
7.  Use a private firewall for additional protection.
Recommendations for a safe use of BNU Online
8.  Do not use public PC's to access Internet Banking.
9.  Verify the digital certificate (VeriSign) to make sure you are accessing the true web site of the Bank.
10.  Keep your ID / Password secure and confidential.
11.  Be careful when printing documents related to your account.
12.  Exit the session by using the "Logout" function.
13.  Clear your browser cache and history memory after each session.
14.  Verify your account balances periodically, as well as the last Internet Banking access date and time.
15.  Contact the Bank immediately if there are suspicious accesses or transactions.


1. Do not open unknown e-mail messages
E-mail messages and the respective attachments are frequently used to spread virus and spy-ware, giving the hacker access to your PC.

Please beware of suspicious e-mails or websites that could trick you into revealing your User ID, Password and other confidential account or credit card information. Our Bank will never ask you for such information by e-mail.
  • Delete, without reading, e-mail messages coming from unknown senders – even if the subject is attractive. The same applies to the respective attachments.
  • Do not answer or forward such messages.
  • Do not open unexpected e-mail messages with attachments received from people you know, before confirming with the sender whether he has really sent the message and if the respective attachment is safe.
  • Don't ever access BNU Online through hyperlinks embedded in e-mails or third party websites.

2. Deactivate the option "Preview Pane" in your e-mail application
Some virus are dissimulated and sent with e-mail messages, formatted as HTML. If you have the "Preview Pane" function activated one message potentially dangerous may be automatically processed and your PC infected.

To deactivate the "Preview Pane" you should:
  • In the Outlook, go to the menu View and select option Preview Pane to switch on or off the Preview Pane.


     
  • In the Outlook Express, go to the menu View and select Layout. Then, deselect the option Show Preview Pane.

3. Remove the HTML code from the e-mail messages
Some e-mail applications are able to remove the HTML code potentially dangerous from the e-mail messages, while maintaining the possibility of reading the message safely, in text format. If your e-mail application has this feature (e.g. Outlook Express 6), please activate it.
  • To remove the HTML code from the e-mail messages (only possible with Outlook Express 6), you should go to option Tools > Options and select Tab Read. Then choose option Read all messages in plain text.

4. Check the file extensions of the e-mail attachments
Virus sent as attachments has usually extensions like .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif, or .scr. Since in the Windows system, by default these extensions are omitted, one file apparently innocent (e.g. novocarro.jpg), may be a virus which file name is novocarro.jpg.vbs. As prevention, modify the Windows standard definitions so that the extensions of the files are not omitted.
  • To modify the standard definitions of Windows 2000 or XP, open the Windows Explorer, go to option Tools > Folder Options and select Tab View. Then, remove the selection Hide extensions for known file types.

5. Keep your operative system and your browser updated
  • Always use licensed software.
  • Update your operative system and PC browser on a regular basis.

Generally the updates can be made through the Internet. In case of Microsoft operative system and browsers these updates can be made from: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

6. Keep an anti-virus and anti-spyware software available and updated
Install and regularly update anti-virus and anti-spyware software to protect your computer from viruses and malicious programs.

It should be able to detect and remove the virus from your PC and be configured to protect "Internet Mail" and "Downloads".

Regularly run your anti-virus application to scan all your files.

7. Use a personal firewall for additional protection
In order to prevent any non-authorized remote access to your PC, install and configure a personal firewall to increase the security level between the Internet and your PC.

8. Do not use public PC's to access Internet Banking
Do not conduct BNU Online transactions in public or shared computers (e.g. cyber-cafés, airports) since this may expose your confidential data to third parties.

If you are using a wireless network or device, you are strongly advised to consult your vendor / service provider to ensure that your network or devices are configured with adequate security settings.

9. Verify the digital certificate to make sure you are accessing the true web site of the Bank
Before performing online transactions, make sure that the Bank website you access is genuine.

Always login to BNU Online through the hyperlinks in the BNU website: http://www.bnu.com.mo, when you want to perform banking transactions.

Do not login to BNU Online through hyperlinks embedded in e-mails or third parties websites.
  • If you are using Internet Explorer, double click the "padlock" icon in the right corner of the screen and check the security certificate of BNU Online. If you are using Safari, click the "padlock" icon in the end of the address bar to check the digital certificate.




     
  • Click the VeriSign icon available in the login page of BNU Online and a window will pop up with the details of the digital certificate.



10. Keep your ID / Password secure and confidential at all times
  • Avoid using the same details that you use to access other services such as email, other Internet sites/ISPs, ATM, or Phone Banking.
  • Do not use easy to guess information as your Password, such as phone numbers, name or birthday of friends and relatives or repeated numeric combinations.
  • Never reveal your Password to anyone (No Bank staff will ever ask for your password), e.g. If you receive any anomalous email asking for sensitive account information, you must not disclose such information. You should report to the Bank immediately by phone if in doubt.
  • Always memorize your Password. Try not to write it down or reveal it to anyone. If you cannot remember the password, you should always conceal it and keep it in a safe place, away from where you keep your Login ID, your computer and bank account details.
  • Change your Password regularly.
  • Please ensure that your ID and password entries cannot be watched by someone standing around or behind you when you login.

11. Be careful when printing documents related to your account
  • Avoid printing BOL accounts' data in public or shared printers, since the respective contents may be kept in the spool file or in the printer disk and thus accessed by unauthorized persons.
  • Disable the "File and Printer Sharing" feature on your Operating system.
     
    • For Windows 95/98, click "Start", "Settings", "Control Panels". Double click "Network & Dial-up Connections". Click "File & Print Sharing" in the "Configuration" tab and disable "I want to be able to give others access to my files" and "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer(s)".
    • For Windows NT/2000, click "Start", "Settings", "Control Panels". Double click "Network & Dial-up Connections". Right click "Local Area Connection" then click "properties". Disable "File & Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks".

12. Exit the session by using the "Logout" function
  • Never leave the PC while you are accessing BNU Online. Although the system is prepared to terminate the session in case it's inactive for more than 10 minutes, someone may use the session if you leave it unattended.
  • Always terminate BNU Online session by using the "Logout" function.


     
  • Always close the browser application after "Logout".
  • Do not access third party websites within the same internet browser session when using BNU Online.

13. Clear your browser cache and history memory after each session
  • Always clear the browser cache after each session so that your account information is removed from the computer. To do that, please perform:
     
    • For Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, Click "View", "Internet Options". Choose the "General" tab and click "Delete Files" on the "Temporary Internet Files" section.
    • For Microsoft Internet Explorer 5/6, click "Tools", "Internet Options". Choose the "General" tab and click "Delete Files" on the "Temporary Internet Files" section.


       

14. Verify your account balances periodically, as well as the last access date and time
to the Internet Banking
  • Check your last login date and time each time you login to BNU Online.


     
  • Check your account balances and statements regularly to identify any unusual transactions.

15. Contact the Bank immediately if there are suspicious accesses or transactions
  • If you suspect any unauthorized access or transactions, please promptly call our 24-hour Customer Service Hotline (853) 2833 5533 to immediately terminate your BNU Online access and any other access channels to your accounts such as ATM. Please also provide details of the unauthorized transactions.


Copyright © 2005 BNU. All rights reserved. Close