What can you do to protect yourself when using internet banking?

It is important that you take positive steps to protect your computer if you use it for internet banking (or any other form of e-commerce). Use only a trusted and secure computer to access your internet banking account. Using publicly shared computers, such as those at internet cafes, is strongly discouraged. If you use your home computer to access your internet banking account, we recommend that you:

• Install reputable anti-virus and firewall protection on your computer because this provides additional layers of protection that you need to reduce your risk of exposure from viruses that can rob your computer of valuable personal information;
• Remember that after you install virus protection you will need to regularly update the software, usually by installing patches (used to update or fix a bug in a computer program), so that protection remains current; and
• Install any security patches for your operating system and other software installed on your computer and keep these up-to-date;
• Ensure that you always regularly check your transaction history and notify us immediately of any unauthorised transactions.

Using Internet Banking

When banking on the internet follow these steps:

• Always access our website by typing the address into the browser (www.bcu.com.au). Never log on by clicking a link embedded in an email.
• Keep your computer up-to-date with anti-virus, firewall software and the latest patches.
• Confirm that your data is encrypted by looking for the padlock symbol on the bottom right hand corner of the browser window (Internet Explorer 6) or 'right-click' on a blank portion of the page and view 'Properties' to ensure the page has 128 bit encryption (IE7).
• Always log out from the internet banking menu when you finish all your banking.
• Close your internet browser after logging out at the end of each internet banking sesion.
• BCU subscribes to Digicert service which provides industry standard 128 bit encryption; for more information click the security icon before entering iBank.
• For a Free Security Scan, and information about the Latest Threats click on the relevant links*.

Beware of any windows that 'pop up' during an Internet banking session and be very suspicious if it directs you to another website which then requests your member identification or password.

Protect your access details

• Avoid using passwords or PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) that are relevant to your personal situation. Passwords with telephone numbers, postcode, your name, or the name of a close relative and dates of birth are simple for criminals to trace. Create passwords with letters and numbers that cannot be easily attributable to you.
• Always memorise your password or PIN and do not write it down or store it on your computer. You are responsible for keeping this information confidential.
• Change your password regularly and don't use the same password for other services such as your video store.
• We will never send you an email asking you for your PIN.

*Please read our disclaimer before accesing any external links from www.bcu.com.au

Check your transaction history and statements

We recommend that you regularly check your transaction history and account statements to make sure there are no unauthorised transactions on any of your accounts. If you suspect that any such transactions have taken place, please contact us on 1300 228 228.