• Do not select the option auto save on browsers for storing or retaining user name and password when logging into online banking.
• Make sure your computer has the most current anti-virus software. Anti-virus software needs frequent updates to guard against new viruses. Make sure you download the anti-virus updates as soon as you are notified that a download is available.
• Make sure your computer's Operating System and browser software are updated with the latest security patches.
• Install a personal firewall and the latest anti-virus software to help prevent unauthorised access to your home computer, particularly when they are linked via broadband connections, digital subscriber lines or cable modems. Be sure to update the anti-virus and firewall products with security patches or newer versions on a regular basis.
• Clear your browser's cache and history after each session so that your account information is removed, especially if you are using a shared computer.
• If you are using a Windows OS, ensure File & Print sharing is disabled while online, particularly if you are linked to the Internet via any broadband connection, digital subscriber lines or cable modems.
• Make regular backups of critical data.
• Consider the use of encryption technology to protect highly sensitive data.

Identity thieves can access information through a number of sources, including the Internet, databases, recycling bins, the trash, and even the mail from your own mailbox. Using personal identification information from your Credit Card, driver's license, thieves can impersonate unsuspecting individuals. They will try to spend as much money as possible, in the shortest amount of time, before moving on to the next victim. Some thieves go as far as opening new bank accounts, accessing the current account, and taking out loans, leaving victims with bad credit and a lot of financial repair work.

Following are the list of steps to prevent account number theft:

Citibank Security Measures

• We use strong encryption technology (SSL 128-bit encryption) to protect you whilst Banking online.
• Citibank Online uses "time out" technology, which means that your Internet Banking session will automatically terminate after 5 minutes if no activity occurs.

Additional Tips

• Change your Citibank PIN on a regular basis.
• Never disclose your PIN to anyone, not even a Citibank representative.
• Beware when using public or shared computers to conduct Internet Banking. Check that they use up-to-date anti-virus software and firewalls.
• Safeguard your account information, just as you would do with any other sensitive personal information.
• Never give your account information to telemarketers or to callers claiming to need to confirm or verify your account information.
• Don't carry your cheque book around with you unnecessarily.
• Don't leave bill payments or other cheques in your mailbox.
• Always review your monthly account statement, or go to your financial institution's web site to view your account activity more frequently. Report any unauthorised transaction or suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately.
• Report lost or stolen cheques and cheque books immediately to your financial institution.
• Tear or shred any old cheques or account statements before throwing them away.
• Consider using electronic alternatives to paying by cheque when making purchases or paying bills. This substantially reduces, or even eliminates, the number of people that see the personal and account information that is printed on your cheques.
• If you believe your account information has been stolen, contact Citibank immediately.

Protect your password like you would do with your Personal Identification Number, to your ATM/Debit Cards or Credit Cards. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be with Citibank asks for it - we should already have it! With your password, anyone can access your account pretending to be you.

Securing your password

• The IPIN should be a minimum of 8 characters.
• The IPIN should be alphanumeric.
• The IPIN should not contain leading or trailing white spaces.
• In the IPIN, consecutive characters should not be the same.
• Change your IPIN after your first login and change it at least once a month.
• Change your IPIN after you access Citibank Online Internet Banking using shared PCs.
• Destroy the IPIN mailer after memorizing it.
• Keep your IPIN a secret and don't disclose it to anyone (including Citibank employees).
• Do not write the IPIN on your ATM/Debit Card or Citibank Credit Card.
• Do not hand over your ATM/Debit Card or Citibank Credit Card to anyone.
• Use a different password for each of your accounts.

Tips to ensure your password is secure

• Use a different password for each of your Internet accounts.
• Don't store your passwords near your computer or on your desk where others might easily find them.
• If you get an E-mail that looks like it's from your Internet Service Provider or someone else with whom you have an account asking to confirm your password, don't respond until you've checked with the company directly.
• Don't create passwords that are similar to your real name, a commonly used nickname, or your online screen name.
• Use both letters and numbers and a combination of lower- and upper-case letters if the passwords are case-sensitive.
• Use a phrase or a series of letters and/or numbers that you can easily remember but that would be hard for others to guess.

Internet Banking brings you a lot of convenience! Ensure you don't ever have to regret it by following these simple, easy-to-keep tips!

Login with caution

• Avoid using shared computers when accessing Citibank Online.
• Avoid logging into Citibank Online or using critical passwords at Internet Cafés, Libraries, and other public sites to avoid the risk of information being copied and re-entered after you leave.
• Change your password regularly.
• Contact Citibank immediately if you suspect your Internet Banking password has been compromised.
• Use a password on your computer to prevent unauthorised individuals from accessing your information.
• Disable the 'AutoComplete' function within your browser.
• Always remember to Log-off Internet Banking and close your browser when you have finished your online banking.

Personal Firewall:

A firewall is a software that acts as a gatekeeper, controlling the information that goes to and from your computer.

Firewalls are effective in preventing malicious access to your computer, and will also prevent your computer from passing on potentially sensitive information to unauthorised sources.

You should install a personal firewall especially if you use a broadband connection.

Browsers:

Although Internet browsers have built-in security, small Internet files are downloaded to your computer whenever you are online. Some of the files may pose a security risk.

Enhance your security by taking the following actions:

• Clear your browser's cache and history after each session so that your account information is removed, especially if you are using a shared computer.
• Use an Internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption.
• If you use Internet Explorer, configure the browser not to remember passwords (Disable AutoComplete).

If you suspect that there has been any unauthorised breach of your account(s) online, or that an online transaction has taken place that you did not initiate, you should notify Citibank immediately by calling
our 24-Hour CitiPhone banking.

• Security incidents will be escalated to our technical support staff for evaluation. If any breach of security appears to have occurred, the bank will investigate it further.
• Citibank will provide you an interim update of our investigations and the status of your case. Final resolution of any incident, though, will depend on the nature and complexity of the incident, as well as the details surrounding the case.
• While we investigate, our officers may ask you to provide more details surrounding the incident to allow us to resolve your case as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Computer viruses can seriously affect your computer's performance. We recommend the following measures to minimize the likelihood of your computer getting infected.

• Install anti-virus software on your computer.
• Configure the anti-virus software to automatically update the virus definitions regularly and to notify you when new updates are available.
• Perform a complete scan of your computer at least once a week.
• Configure the anti-virus software to scan all in-coming and out-going E-mails.

Although anti-virus software provides protection against viruses, they do not offer protection against spying or Trojan horse programs. In addition to having a personal firewall installed, an ad/spyware scanner software is recommended to protect you against spying software.

• Use Anti-Spyware software to do a full system scan to detect any ad/spyware on a regular basis. Ensure that you update your software regularly.