Online Security Protection
For You and Anthem Bank & Trust
Anthem Bank & Trust is pleased to offer Internet banking. Delivering these services requires a solid security framework that protects you and our institution's data from outside intrusion. We are committed to working with our Internet service and communications providers to produce the safest operating environment possible for our customers. There are several levels of security within our security framework: User, Server and Host levels.
Anthem Bank & Trust will never contact you via telephone, text, email or in any other manner requesting your username or passwords. If you notice suspicious activity within your account or experience security-related events (such as a Phishing email from someone purporting to be from the bank), contact us immediately.
You can make your computer safer by installing and updating regularly your:
Anti-virus software
Anti-malware programs
Firewalls on your computer
Operating system patches and updates
You can learn more about online safety and security at these websites:
www.staysafeonline.org
www.ftc.gov
www.usa.gov
www.identitytheft.gov
The User Level deals with cryptography and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, and is the first line of defense used by all customers accessing our Banking Server from the public Internet. There are several components of User Level security that ensure the confidentiality of information sent across the public Internet. The first requires your use of a fully SSL-compliant 128 bit-encrypted browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. SSL is an open protocol that allows a user’s browser to establish a secure channel for communicating with our Internet server. SSL utilizes highly effective cryptography techniques between your browser and our server to ensure that the information being passed is authentic, cannot be deciphered, and has not been altered en route. SSL also utilizes a digitally signed certificate, which ensures that you are truly communicating with the Online Banking Server and not a third party trying to intercept the transaction.
After a secure connection has been established between your browser and our server, you then provide a valid Access ID and Password to gain access to the services. This information is encrypted, logged by the server forming another complete physical security layer to protect the server's information, and a request to log on to the system is processed. Although SSL utilizes proven cryptography techniques, it is important to protect your Access ID and Password from others. You must follow the Password parameters we specify at the time you sign up for an Internet banking account. We also recommend changing your Password often. Session time-outs and a limit on the number of logon attempts are examples of other security measures in place to ensure that inappropriate activity is prohibited at the User Level.
Our service provider continues to evaluate and implement the latest improvements in Internet security technology, you as a user of the online banking system also have a responsibility for the security of your information and should always follow the recommendations listed below:
- Utilize the latest 128 bit-encryption version of either Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer. The online banking system is best viewed and is most secure when you use one of these two browsers, as they are both certified for use at our site.
- Your password must be kept confidential. You must follow our specific parameters for a password and change it frequently to ensure that the information cannot be guessed or used by others. Be sure others are not watching you enter information on the keyboard when using the system.
- Choose a good password – Your online password, along with your user code, authenticate you when you begin an Internet Banking session. You should carefully select a password that is hard to guess.
- Keep your password safe – Even the best password is worthless if it’s written on a note attached to your computer or in your checkbook. Memorize your password and never tell it to anyone. We do not need your password to help you, so we will never ask you for it.
- Change your password regularly – It’s important to change your password regularly. Every time you choose a new password, the Internet Banking system runs a quick program to test it. If we can guess it, we will immediately ask you to choose another one.
- Remember to sign-off properly – Never leave your computer unattended while logged on to the online banking system. Others may approach your computer and gain access to your account information if you walk away or you may not always be at your computer when you bank online, therefore, it is important to sign off, or click exit, when you are finished using the system to properly end your session. Once a session has been ended, no further transactions can be processed until you log on to the system again. If you do forget to sign-off, the system automatically signs you off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
- Keep your computer free of viruses. Use virus protection software to routinely check for a virus on your computer. Never allow a virus to remain on your computer while accessing the online banking system.
- Report all crimes to law enforcement officials immediately.
Server Level focuses on firewalls, filtering routers, and our trusted operating system.
All transactions sent to our Banking Server must first pass through a filtering router system. These filtering routers automatically direct the request to the appropriate server after ensuring the access type is through a secured browser and nothing else. The routers verify the source and destination of each network packet, and manage the authorization process of letting packets through. The filtering routers also prohibit all other types of Internet access methods at this point. This process blocks all non-secured activity and defends against inappropriate access to the server.
The Banking Server is protected using the latest firewall platform. This platform defends against system intrusions and effectively isolates all but approved customer financial requests. The platform secures the hardware running the Online applications and prevents associated attacks against all systems connected to the Banking Server. The system is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a wide range of anomalies to determine if attempts are being made to breach our security framework.
Host Level deals specifically with our Internet banking services, and the processing of secure financial transactions.
Once authenticated, the customer is allowed to process authorized Internet banking transactions using host data. In addition, communication time-outs ensure that the request is received, processed, and delivered within a given time frame. Any outside attempt to delay or alter the process will fail. Further password encryption techniques are implemented at the host level, as well as additional security logging and another complete physical security layer to protect the host information itself.
