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Protect Before You Connect

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While nothing can guarantee complete safety in cyberspace, taking these basic precautions helps minimize your exposure to risk.

Use a firewall

A firewall is a software program or piece of hardware that helps screen out hackers, viruses and worms that try to reach your computer over the Internet. Most operating systems have a software firewall that you can turn on. Here are links to firewalls on the more common operating systems:

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Use a current operating system (OS) and keep it updated

If your computer is more than five years old, its operating system may not offer the same level of protection as newer systems. Software providers such as Microsoft and Apple frequently update their operating systems to help users enhance security. Most popular operating systems offer free software patches to close holes in the system that hackers could exploit.

Here are links to information on setting up common operating systems to automatically retrieve and install patches for you:

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Use updated anti-virus software

Viruses can destroy your data, slow your computer's performance, cause a crash or even allow spammers to send e-mail through your account. That is why anti-virus software is so important. These widely available programs constantly scan your computer and incoming e-mail for viruses, then delete them. To be effective, your anti-virus software should be updated routinely with antidotes to the latest “bugs” circulating through the Internet. Most commercial anti-virus software includes a feature to download updates automatically.

Before installing ANY software on your system, you should confirm that it's coming from a legitimate company. Some of the most reputable programs are:

If you haven't been running anti-virus software and would like to check your system, try this free online virus scanner (not for Mac OS users).

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Use updated anti-spyware software

Spyware is software that has been installed on your computer without your consent in order to monitor or control your computer use. It may be used to send you pop-up ads, redirect your computer to websites, monitor your Internet surfing, or record your keystrokes — which, in turn, could lead to the theft of your personal information.

Clues that spyware is on a computer include:

  • A barrage of pop-up ads
  • A hijacked browser — in other words, a browser that takes you to sites other than those you type into the address box
  • A sudden or repeated change in your computer's Internet home page
  • New and unexpected toolbars
  • Unexpected icons on the system tray at the bottom of your computer screen
  • Keys that don't work
  • Random error messages
  • Sluggish or downright slow performance when opening programs or saving files

Anti-spyware software helps protect your computer from malicious spyware that monitors your online activities and collects personal information while you surf the Web. It works by periodically scanning your computer for spyware programs, and then gives you the opportunity to remove them. Some anti-virus software also includes anti-spyware capability.
Before installing ANY software on your system, you should confirm that it's coming from a legitimate company. Some of the most reputable programs are:

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Use a current Web browser

Whenever you're browsing the Internet, you're using a Web browser — the main software application used to display and interact with information on the Web. Thieves are always working to exploit different Web-browser software, so they can trick users into thinking they are safe when they aren't. This constant race to find new and different ways of exploiting Web browsers means that old versions can become unsuitable for sensitive transactions such as Online Banking. (This is also true for newer browsers that are not frequently updated — or “patched” — with the latest capabilities.) 

At ANB, we take this threat very seriously. Our online services are continually upgraded to provide you with the most secure online access to your accounts. In order to maintain a high level of security, ANB does not allow access to ANB Internet Banking or ANB eCorp using browsers that do not meet our security criteria.

To use Online Banking features, your Web browser needs to be Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 5.5 (or greater), Netscape® Navigator 6.0 (or greater), Mozilla Firefox 2.0 (or greater) or Safari 4.0 (or greater). The bank uses 128-bit encryption to help ensure your security, so your Web browser needs to support that encryption as well. The versions we specify above already support the appropriate level of encryption. Note for Safari users: At this time our corporate online banking is not compatible with Safari, we are working to resolve this issue.

Use a pop-up blocker

Most current Web browsers contain a pop-up blocker. Several free, publicly available programs exist that will block all pop-up windows from occurring while you are online. Perform an Internet search for “pop-up blocker” or look at the options provided by major search engines — such as those offered by Google.com (www.toolbar.google.com). Remember: Before downloading ANYTHING to your system, you should confirm that it's coming from a legitimate company.

Some reputable websites use pop-up windows to provide information that you may need or want to view. Once you have installed a pop-up blocker, you may wish to turn it off when browsing these sites. 

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Back up important files

No system is completely secure. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc and store them in a safe place.

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