Email Security Tips

Use your email safely by keeping in mind the following. How to limit the risk of fraud?

Criminals set them up to con people into giving away passwords and bank details. The technical word for this is 'phishing'.

For example, they might send you an email that looks like it comes from us and it might contain a link to a website that looks like this one. When you try to log on, they can steal your password. They could also ask you to make a phone call or reply by email.

They are good at making their emails and websites look realistic. But you can often spot the fake ones.

How to identify a phishing e-mail?
The message creates a sense of urgency.
Dodgy looking email or web addresses.
The domain name is misspelt. Poor design, typos or bad spelling.
They ask you to do something unusual.
A site doesn't display the padlock symbol in the address bar when you log in.
The email is poorly written.
It includes infected attachments or suspicious links.
Here are some warning signs:
Big promises: 'You have won the lottery'.
Big threats: 'Your account has been hacked'.
A false sense of urgency: 'Act now or it'll be too late'.
Unnecessary secrecy: 'Don't tell anyone'.

How to limit the risk of fraud?
Learn to spot fake emails and fake websites
Avoid visiting sites that do not have the mention "https" in the internet address or the padlock indicating a secure connection.
Limit the dissemination of information (social networks, websites, standard mail templates, signature...).
Verify the legitimacy of such a request by making a counter-call to a number already referenced or by implementing the procedure provided internally.
Beware of urgent emails requiring action (e.g., "Security Check", "Activation", "Verification" or any request to wire funds or make other payments). Think before clicking on a link.
Do not provide sensitive personal information over email. A better practice is to call the sender directly.
Never sign up with sites that promise to remove your name from spam lists
Disable macros on your machine
Monitor your transactions.

What to do about a suspicious email?
Never respond to spam email
Do not click on links.
Do not open attachments.