ONLINE SECURITY TIPS

             

PHISHING

   

Phishing, also called spoofing,is the act of attempting to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business with a real need for such information in a seemingly official electronic notification or message. The e-mail directs the user to visit a web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has.

Bank of Baroda sincerely requests you to read and implement following Instructions to protect yourself from Phishing.

  1. Never respond to emails that request personal information

 At Bank Of Baroda, we would never ask for your personal details through an email/ phone. Nor would we ask for your password through any means, online or offline.

  2. Always check the URL and the Security Certificate.

BarodaConnect eBanking servies is hosted on secured site : www.bobibanking.com only. While clicking on Login button do not forget to check the URL on the Address Bar. Also, at any point you can assure yourself of security by cross checking the security certificate. This can be viewed by clicking on lock icon at status bar at the bottom.

  3. Avoid using cyber cafes to access your online accounts as they may be infested with Virus,Trojans or Spywares which might track your activity or worse, compromise your security.

  4. Keep your computer secure by Installing and continuously updating Anti Virus software(s).

  5.Keep your password top secret and change them often.

Please do NOT disclose you User ID and/or Passwords to any person – not even Bank staff – either Intentionally or otherwise. Periodically change your Passwords.

  How does BarodaConnect eBanking protects you from Phishing

Bank, on their part, use 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology certified by Verisign to https://www.bobibanking.com  to encrypt the information you send online. This ensures that the information exchanged between your computer and the bank's web site is completely protected and all details such as login and password remain secret. Another safety feature is the timed logout, which means the session is automatically terminated if it's not active for a certain period.

            BRIEF ABOUT YOUR PASSWORD:

As reported, you will receive two passwords i.e. log in and transaction password. You will have to compulsorily change the password, when you log in for the first time. While changing the password and while subsequently using it, please note that…

v      It must be minimum 8 digit long and maximum 16 digit long.

v      It must contain an alphabet (A-Z or a-z) and a number (0-9) and a special character (@,$,#,* etc.), all the three.

v      It should not contain all the letters used in your user id.

v      It is case sensitive i.e. if password is in small letters use the same. If you use capital letters, it will not work.

v      For your safety, your password will be blocked, if attempt to log in fails for 5 times. (If your password is blocked (i.e. you perfectly remember your password, but while keying in, you keyed in wrongly for 5 times and it got locked) please submit the form to the branch for enabling the password. Your password will be enabled and you will be able to access Baroda Connect, using the same password).

v      While changing the password subsequently, you can’t use any of your last 5 passwords.

v      If not changed in 90 days, system will force you to change the password. However, we advise you to keep changing the passwords, at a regular interval.

v      If you have forgotten your user ID/ password, please submit forgot password form (attached in the instant guide) to the branch. Bank will generate new password, send you the same in mailer (the way in which you got your first password) and you will be forced to change the password on your log in.

     SECURITY OF YOUR PASSWORD:

Please note that your password(s) are of utmost importance in Internet Banking. It is the only way to identify you, by the system. Therefore, its security is  very crucial and we advise you as under…

v      Please do not write these passwords anywhere,

v      If you feel someone knows any of your passwords (i.e. it is compromised), please change the password immediately.

v      You should change the passwords at a regular interval (you will be forced to change the password by the system, if you do not do so after 90 days)

v      Do not share your username and password(s) to anybody, including bank staff. (Bank does not require your user id or password at any point of time. So if you receive any communication asking for this information, please do not send your user id or password(s)).

v      Do not use name of your spouse, children etc. as a password, since they are very easy to crack. Further, avoid using important dates  (wedding anniversary, birthdays of yourself/ spouse/ children etc.) as your password. relatives name or date of birth or address in your password.

      OTHER IMPORTANT SECURITY TIPS:

v      Do not leave your computer unattended while you are accessing Internet banking services.

v      Always type full URL i.e. address of the Internet Banking website. For eg: https://www.bobibanking.com or add this website in your favorites. This will avoid the need for typing the URL every time, you log in and subsequent risk of scouting. Please ensure that https is used while logging in. ‘s’ indicates that this is secured site. You will always see a lock at the bottom right corner of your computer, indicating secured site. If you are not seeing this lock symbol, check if your website address is correct.

v      Every time you log in, you are shown the time when you logged in last. If you feel that, you did not log in at the time shown, get alerted immediately. Change your passwords, check all the transactions and ensure that nothing untoward has taken place.

v      Please ensure that antivirus on your PC is updated and thereby risk of virus attacks can be reduced. However, anti-virus can not check for spywares. So avoid downloading unwanted softwares from the unreliable websites.

v      The recommended browsers are

o        Internet Explorer Version 5.5 and above

o        Netscape Navigator Version 7.1 and above

v      As and when you have finished using Internet Banking, do not forget to log out completely. Further close the window completely, after you log out. Avoid closing the window abruptly, on usage.

v      Know your software. Malicious software (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware) often masquerades as legitimate and even useful software. Think carefully before installing or running new software, especially anything unsolicited.

v      Clear the browser cache regularly and to clear your browser cache in case of Internet Explorer…

o        Go to "Tools"

o        Go to "Internet Options"

o        Select "General"

o        Click on "Delete Files" at "Temporary Internet files"

v      To clear your browser cache in case of Netscape Navigator…

o        Go to "Netscape" or "Edit"

o        Go to "Preferences"

o        Select or double-click on "Advanced"

o        Select "Cache"

o        Click on "Clear Memory Cache" and "Clear Disk Cache"

Safe Surfing Tips for Teens

How could we live without the Internet? That's how most of us keep in touch with friends, find homework support, research a cool place to visit, or find out the latest news.

But besides the millions of sites to visit and things to do, the Internet offers lots of ways to waste time — and even get into trouble. And just as in the non-cyber world, some people you encounter online might try to take advantage of you — financially or physically.

You've probably heard stories about people who get into trouble in chat rooms. Because users can easily remain anonymous, chat rooms often attract people who are interested in more than just chatting. They'll sometimes ask visitors for information about themselves, their families, or where they live — information that shouldn't be given away.

Usually, the people who request personal information like home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses use this information to fill mailboxes and answering machines with advertisements. In some cases, though, predators may use this information to begin illegal or indecent relationships or to harm a person's or family's well-being.

Of course, the Internet is home to millions of places you can and should visit. Like an infinite library, the Web can take you to the ends of the earth with the information it contains.

You can use it to do research for school, find out what movie is playing near you (and whether people like it), check out a collegeyou're thinking about, or find a job or volunteer opportunity. Almost anything you can think of has a website (or a thousand of them) about it. And it's not just websites — blogs, videos, and downloadable games await to connect you with other user and players.

The key is to protect yourself while online.

Smart Surfing

First rule of smart surfing? Remain as anonymous as possible. That means keeping all private information private. Here are some examples of private information that you should never give out on the Internet:

• full name
• home address
• phone number
• Social Security number
• passwords
• names of family members
• credit card numbers

Most credible people and companies will never ask for this type of information online. So if someone does, it's a red flag that they may be up to no good.

Think carefully before you create an email address or screen name. Web experts recommend that you use a combination of letters and numbers in both — and that you don't identify whether you're male or female.

In chat rooms, use a nickname that's different from your screen name. That way, if you ever find yourself in a conversation that makes you uncomfortable, you can exit without having to worry that someone knows your screen name and can track you down via email. Some people who hang out with their friends online set up private chat rooms where only they and the people they invite can enter to chat.

Experts recommend that people keep online friendships in the virtual world. Meeting online friends face to face carries more risks than other types of friendships because it's so easy for people to pretend to be something they're not when you can't see them or talk in person.

If you ever get involved in a chat room conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable or in danger for any reason, exit and tell a parent or other adult right away so they can report the incident. You can also report it to the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children — they have a form for reporting this type of incident called CyberTipline. They will then see that the info is forwarded to law enforcement officials for investigation.

Cyberbullying

It's not just strangers who can make you feel uncomfortable online. Cyberbullying refers to cruel or bullying messages sent to you online. These might be from former friends or other people you know. They can be irritating and, in some cases, even frightening.

If you get these bullying messages online, it's often better to ignore them rather than answer them. Cyberbullies, just like other bullies, may be angry or disturbed people — and may be looking for attention or a reaction.

Fortunately, most people never experience cyberbullying. But if you're getting cyberbullied and ignoring it doesn't make it go away, getting help from a parent, school counselor, or another trusted adult may be a good idea. That's especially true if the cyberbullying contains threats.

Online Annoyances

Although email is relatively private, hackers can still access it — or add you to their spam lists. Spam, like advertisements or harassing or offensive notes, is annoying. But spam blockers can keep your mailbox from getting clogged. Many service providers will help you block out or screen inappropriate emails if your parents agree to set up age-appropriate parental controls.

If you don't recognize the sender of a document or file that needs to be downloaded, delete it without opening it to avoid getting a virus on your machine. Virus protection software is a must for every computer. You can also buy software that helps rid your computer of unwanted spyware programs that report what your computer is doing. Some service providers make software available to protect you from these and other online annoyances, such as blockers for those in-your-face pop-up ads.

If you do invest in protective software, you'll need to keep it updated to be sure it continues to do its job as new technologies evolve.

With all the problems you can face online, is it worth it? For most people, the answer is definitely yes. You just need to know where the pitfalls are, use some common sense and caution, and you'll be in control.

HAPPY & SAFE SURFING IN THE INTERNET

Just like you wouldn't want to surf in real water when you don't know how to swim, you don't want to enter the Internet without knowing the rules of safety, would you?.  Here are some tips to follow while surfing the net.  

1) DON’T CHAT WITH STRANGERS- Your Parents are RIGHT when they say “DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS”. As far as possible NEVER talk with strangers in ADULT chat rooms. You really don't know who the person is that you are chatting with.  Because you can't see or even hear the person it would be very easy for someone to mislead you. People on the Internet can pretend to be anyone or anything they want.  

  Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.  

Don't let them fool you. If you like to chat, make sure that your parents know that you are chatting, where you're chatting, with whom you're chatting, and what information you are giving people. Never use bad language & don't get into arguments with or answer anyone who uses bad language.  

If you still chat, use a fun name when you're online, not your real name (not even your real first name). Don't ever give them your phone number or address. YES.  Never give your name, address,phone number, credit card information to anyone. This is very important. People can track you down through the  telephone directory, so be careful.

  Never talk to anyone you met online over the phone, send them anything or accept anything from them or agree to meet with them unless your parents agree and are with you. Never show your picture online to someone without your parents' consent. 

2) E-MAIL SAFETY- Never open up any e-mail or attached files or web pages that you receive  from people you don't know. If it looks suspicious or odd, delete it without opening it. Or ask your parents to look at it first. Sometimes e mails may contain viruses which could harm your computer. Remember the famous pokeman virus which came disguised as a cute animation in e mails but which was actually a virus.

           ....Pokeman

 Ask your parents to install the latest anti-virus programmes. If someone is sending you e mails you don't like tell your parents. Never reply to e mails from strangers.

3)ASK AND SURF. Only surf where your parents have given you permission. There's a reason why they restrict your surfing area and you should listen to them. If a web site looks suspicious or has a warning page about you being underage, leave immediately. Some sites are not meant for kids Do not go exploring. 

If you come across a site that you aren't sure about ask your parents. Don't download any application from the internet that are from questionable sites. Some sites have viruses which come free with the download ! So be very careful with downloads. Better be safe than sorry.

4)PASSWORDS. Passwords are a secret so don't give out your passwords to anyone. Keep it with you like you would keep a secret of your friend.  

5)BE PROTECTED-Ask your parents to install child-safe browsers meant for children. These browsers help & guide you to visit good and safe sites and automatically protect you from the bad ones.To know more about these browsers click here. 

                                                                                                                                   

6)SET YOUR TIME- Don't spend all your time online. Set a time limit on your computer use. 

7)FUN TO LEARN-INTERNET SAFETY LEARNING SITES- There are some sites on the internet which make internet safety really fun to learn. Visit them with your parents and learn safe surfing with them. They are really colorful and fun to visit.

So, with a little care & understanding, we can all make this internet a safe & better place.

                                                        We wish you happy and safe surfing :-)