General guidelines for staying safe while online

There is a technical as well as a human side to data security. Users can and should actively contribute to maintaining data security on their own PC's.

Technological security solutions may prove insufficient if users are not aware of the risks involved. However, ordinary users need not know every detail. It suffices well to know what the worst threats are and how to protect oneself against them. An overall picture of the situation and preparedness against threats are sufficient protective measures. 

You may learn more by clicking here a web site that provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information, download their helpful seven practices brochure:

Seven Practices to Help Stay Safe while Online

The following guidelines are meant for all computer users and especially Internet users. The purpose of these guidelines is to make things understandable even to an inexperienced user. These guidelines were written with the Windows operating system in mind, but they are applicable to other systems as well.

Know who you are dealing with
Always access Mane-Link Internet banking by typing the bank's address into your web browser, then click on the log on button. Never go to a website from a link in an email and enter personal details. If in doubt, contact the bank separately by calling our listed phone number 508-797-6800.

Always keep passwords and PINS confidential
Take care that your passwords remain private. Always be wary of unsolicited emails or calls asking you to disclose any personal details or card numbers. Be wary of disclosing any personal information to someone you do not know. Never give your password to anyone on the phone. Many hackers have simply made a phone call and asked for passwords based on some excuse, and received them. Commerce Bank would never contact you to ask you to disclose PINs or your password information.

Help ensure protection of your privacy
Use long passwords whenever possible with special characters and numbers. The longer the password, the harder it is to break. Our recommendation is a strong password with at least 8 characters using at least 1 alpha and at least 1 numeric character.

When you are entering your password or PIN, check that no-one can see it. Do not write your passwords on a piece of paper, which you carry on you. If you need to write your passwords down to avoid forgetting them, keep the information in a safe and secure place.

Secure Socket Layer Encryption
The Secure Socket Layer (SSL) security protocol is an encryption technology supported by common browsers. When SSL encryption is activated in Netscape, Firefox and Explorer browsers, a lock icon is shown on the display. By clicking the Lock icon you can view the Commerce Bank security certificate. A secure connection begins with the letters https:// in the address field. If the Internet address begins with http://, the connection is not secured.

Encryption ensures privacy
When entering your personal data in Internet based forms, make sure that the information is transmitted as encrypted which ensures that only the recipient of the information can read it. The connection to Commerce Bank's Internet Banking, Mane-Link, is protected with the SSL security protocol. The SSL protocol encrypts the data communications. You can usually obtain more information on the used encryption protocol by moving the mouse on the lock or by double-clicking the lock. Our recommendation for encryption is strong 128-Bit encryption.

Securely disconnecting Mane-Link sessions
Session cookies are employed to control your current on-line Mane-Link session. While exiting Mane-Link the connection closes when you press the "Secure Log Off" button. The duration of the Mane-Link connection is monitored to ensure security. If the Mane-Link session is not actively used for 15 minutes, the connection is automatically closed in order to prevent the connection being left open by mistake. Your Internet Service Provider may employ shorter time out periods on secure connections.

Check your statements regularly
If you notice anything irregular on your account contact your local branch immediately.

Keep your PC secure
Use up-to-date spyware, anti-virus software and a personal firewall. Be extra careful if using any PC which is not your own and over which you have no control. If your computer uses the Microsoft® Windows operating system, keep it patched and updated from the Microsoft® website. 

Firewall
By using a firewall you can define what kind of traffic is acceptable between your computer and the Internet. You can also not allow Internet access to any programs that do not require access in order to operate. If you do not have this kind of a guard, any program on your computer can contact the Internet when you are online. In some cases offenders can intrude into your computer through its "holes". You may not even notice that this is happening in the background.  

Viruses and other harmful programs
Do not open or execute any programs unless you are certain of their safety. This applies especially to attachments to e-mail and to downloading of files from websites or execution of programs directly from websites. These files may contain different kinds of harmful programs such as viruses, Trojan Horse, worms, and remote control programs all of which are designed to cause harm or damage. 

Spyware & Adware
Spyware is internet jargon for software that sends your personal information to a third party site without your permission or knowledge. This type of software tracks the web sites you visit and can even gather information about sensitive data like user names and passwords. Adware is another type third party software. Adware typically displays advertisements on your computer or browser in exchange for "free software". In order to protect your financial privacy, it may be necessary to install a spyware/adware search tool to determine if your computer has any of this software installed. If it has been installed, it needs to be removed. 

Electronic mail
E-mail is the most common distribution channel of harmful programs. If an e-mail attachment has been sent by a person you do not know, do not open the file. If the file was sent by someone you know, you can always ask about the contents of the attached file and why it has been sent to you. If he or she does not recognize the file in question, do not open the file to find out. 

Links within a email message should also be treated with caution since a harmful attachment may be disguised as a normal-looking Internet links.

Files executed from the Internet
If a downloadable file is available on the Internet, first think if you really need to download and/or install it. Since downloading of files from the Internet always involves risks, you should carefully consider if it is necessary. Important things to consider include the reliability of the pages, the contents of the program to be downloaded and whether you can trust the announcement about the contents.

Protect yourself against harmful programs
At a minimum, your operating system, Internet browser and e-mail program should be updated often. Updating means retrieving the improvements and corrections made by the provider. The software provider usually publishes updates on its Internet pages where users can download the updates onto their computers. The program settings may also be defined to retrieve updates from specified pages at intervals.

Anti-virus software
Harmful programs such as viruses, Trojans and worms are a serious threat to your computer. These programs can destroy your files and adversely effect the stability of your computer. An up-to-date anti-virus program is an efficient way of protecting oneself against harmful programs. 

Remember to occasionally scan your hard disk as well. Most anti-virus software can be set to run the check automatically at intervals. If your virus protection software has the option for background protection, remember to use it always.

New and increasingly dangerous security holes are found in computer programs all the time and the providers try to fill these holes as soon as they are detected. You should update your anti-virus software as often as possible. If the descriptions of harmful programs are not retrieved into the protection software often enough, it may not be able to recognize a new virus.

Check the settings of the software you use
It is especially important to check the settings of your browser and virus protection program. In addition, you should define in your virus protection program that all files are checked for viruses and not just files of a specific type.

Additional protective measures

• Always memorize your passwords and avoid writing them down.
• Always take reasonable steps to keep your password and PIN number secret at all times.
• Do not use the same password that you use for online banking at any non-banking sites.
• If you change your password, choose one which cannot easily be guessed.
• Never give your account details or security information to anyone including Commerce Bank employees.
• If phoning the bank, you will not be asked to discuss your password.
• Ensure that there is a locked padlock in the bottom right of your browser window while accessing the Mane-Link Internet Banking site. 
• The beginning of the Mane-Link's Internet address will change from 'http' to 'https' when a secure connection is made.
• Never leave your computer unattended when logged in to Internet banking.
• Ensure that you log-out properly when you have finished banking online.