Avoid online fraud attempts

Many of us use the internet on a daily basis – for anything from shopping for groceries and gadgets to auctions and online banking. Although most of our online interactions are secure, there is always a risk that we could open ourselves up to online fraud attempts, such as identity theft.

Measures to improve online security

It is vital that you are aware of some measures that you can take to make you more secure online, such as:

• Always keep your personal access information secure, and change your PIN and passwords regularly.
• Never open on a link or an attachment within an email claiming to be from CDHIB as this may link to a fraudulent website or download a virus or keylogging software that will compromise your security.
• Be aware that phishing scams have also been received through instant messaging systems such as GoogleTalk or Skype; as well as through Social Networking websites such as Facebook.When in doubt of the authenticity of a link or a claim, simply don’t click it.
• Install good quality security software and ensure that you have updated to the latest version of your browser. Most of the newer browsers have the inherent ability of detecting fraudulent websites.
• Don’t bank or shop online when using a public terminal such as those found in internet cafes, hotels, coffee shops or student labs. Keylogging software could be present on the computer, and will send all your personal information through to the fraudster, who could then use this information to clear out your account.
• Before you bank online, ensure that you are actually within the secure internet banking website. Once you visit www.cdh-malawi.com and click on the Internet Banking link, you will be redirected to an available banking server. Once there, check the browser address. It should begin with ‘https://’ (not ‘http://’). Also check the browser for a closed lock and/or key icon – which should either be at the top or the bottom of the screen.
• When leaving your computer, always end the current session by closing your browser window, and never leave your computer unattended during an Internet Banking session.