Online Security & Privacy

“End user” will be used to signify an authorized customer using software for the benevolent purposes it was intended and “agent” will be used to signify a person whose goal it is to exploit a software application for some negative end.

THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT!

If an agent attempts unauthorized entry into a customer’s account by trying to guess a Login ID and password, the customer’s Global Union Bank Online Banking account will be disabled on the third incorrect login attempt, thus invalidating the Login combination. The disabling and/or destruction of the password keeps an unauthorized agent from running a brute force attack, which uses an application that will run through millions of possible passwords eliminating the invalid ones until it arrives at a match. In this scenario, to guard against unauthorized use of a customer’s Login ID and password, Global Union Bank Online Banking system disables the password indefinitely until the customer calls the Bank and requests the associated Login ID and password to be reset, or the customer clicks the “receive a new password” link to have a temporary password sent to the email address on file with the Bank. A customer will also trigger this security feature by unintentionally misskeying a password three times. In this situation the customer will need to call the Bank to reestablish the password for the locked account(s). For example, a common mistake made by end users is having the caps-lock on while keying in a password. Since the password is case sensitive and an end user cannot actually see the characters being typed, it is easy to think the password is being typed correctly when the caps-lock is engaged.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PASSWORDS

A password and Login ID provide security against unauthorized entry and access to customers’ accounts. Passwords should not be easy to guess; for example, children’s or pet’s names, birth dates, addresses or other easily recognized identifications should be avoided. Combining cases (utilizing upper and lower case) within your password as well as combining alpha, numeric, and special characters is a good security precaution in selecting a password.

TRANSMISSION SECURITY

End-users must use later versions of Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer to access the Bank’s Online Banking application. The later versions come equipped with Netscape developed encryption technology known as Secure Sockets Layer, commonly referred to as SSL. SSL’s specific function is to manipulate data into an unreadable format as it leaves the end user’s computer. The temporary scrambling of data in transit is referred to as ‘encryption.’ In the unlikely case that an agent should intercept the data in transit, the encryption makes the data unreadable to a human. Furthermore, data in transit is split up into packets that travel separately and are not reorganized until they filter through the Bank's router and firewall. The Bank also uses multiple measures to ensure data is encrypted and subsequently decrypted in a secure fashion. The use of electronic keys that lock data as it is transmitted and unlock the data once received and passed successfully through the Bank’s firewalls is just one example.

EMAIL

Public email is not always a secure process, as data is not always encrypted as it travels over the public Internet, and it can be intercepted by third parties. Please be careful not to provide information in a single message that would allow an agent to log onto your account. Full account numbers should not be included in an email. If an account must be referenced, reference it by only the last four digits. Global Union Bank will never request a customer’s password for any system and encourages customers to never share passwords.

Our Online Banking System uses an Internet server completely separate from the Bank's mainframe computer. The Online Banking System also uses the latest industry technology including password-controlled entry, secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol, data encryption, public-private key pair, firewalls and filtering routers. Each component acts as a secure layer of protection to safeguard all data.

Tips to protect yourself against identity theft:

• Do not share personal information. Never give your passwords, PIN, checking account and credit card numbers or Social Security number to anyone unless you know the person or the organization. Global Union Bank will never ask you for this type of sensitive information via email or during a phone call that we initiate without your request.
• Shred financial solicitations, bank statements or other papers containing personal information before disposing of them.
• Put outgoing mail into a secure, official Postal Service collection box.
• If you stop receiving your bills, call the companies generating the bills to find out why.
• Carefully review all account statements and investigate immediately if your bills include questionable items or charges.
• At least once a year, contact the major credit reporting companies to review your credit report and make certain the information is correct.
• For more information, including steps to take if you become a victim of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.ftc.gov.

The scam usually works like this: You receive an email that appears to come from a reputable company - one you recognize and possibly do business with - like your Internet provider, a bank, credit card company, government agency, etc. The language in the email will be designed to make you think you must respond immediately to solve a problem with your account, avoid cancellation, claim a valuable prize, etc. Most likely you will be asked to update or validate information - account number, password, Social Security number or other information that can be used to verify your account. You will be encouraged to click on a button to go to the organization's website. Don't do it!

If the email you received was part of a phishing scam, the link provided would take you to a fake website that looks just like the real thing. Or, it may actually be the real website, but will include pop-up windows designed to gather your personal information. Another objective of this scam may be to infiltrate your computer with a virus or software designed to spy on your Internet transactions.

It's never a good idea to open an email attachment you did not request or one from an unknown sender. And, you should never provide confidential information in response to an email or call you did not initiate.

If you are concerned about your accounts as a result of receiving an email, visit the company's website directly (don't cut and paste the address in the phisher's email), or call to find out if there is a problem and let the company know you received the email.

Protect yourself by watching for the following red flags:

• The amount of payment for the item or task is inflated
• The issuer of the check is unknown to you
• You are asked to withdraw the funds quickly and send it to someone else

Techniques used to perpetuate this crime include spear-phishing, social engineering, identity theft, email spoofing, and use of malware.

Follow these best practices to help protect your business:

• Protect your computer network to prevent intrusion
• Verify email changes in wiring instructions by phone
• Verify new email requests for wires by phone
• Provide training to employees on how to protect company-issued computers and cell phones
  
  

Businesses who fall victim to a wire fraud loss from a compromised email request can file a complaint with the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov.

Both of these schemes are more common with online job applications and work-from-home opportunities.

Watch for the following red flags while job hunting:

• The pay for the job is higher than expected
• The job description and requirements are vague
• You are expected to send money to someone you don’t know
• You are not able to find information about the company in online searches
• They ask for your bank account information or login

If you find yourself in a winning situation, prevent it from becoming a losing one by being aware of the following:

• Taxes are typically deducted from lottery winnings, not paid up front
• Be extra cautious if you do not remember entering the lottery or contest
• Do not send funds to an unknown individual

Look for the following red flags before falling in love online:

• You have not met in person
• Attempts to meet are postponed
• The person is usually out of the country or can’t be reached
• They ask you to send funds to an unknown person
• The reason for the funds transfer does not make sense