Commercial Internet Banking Security and Cybersecurity Training
Latest Update: April 19, 2024
We thank you for using the Sabine State Bank Internet Banking system for your business needs. In an effort to better equip our customers to combat current cybersecurity threats, we are providing access to free cybersecurity training that discusses what you can do to make your online banking experience as secure as possible. No registration is required, and the webinar is available to watch on-demand an unlimited number of times for twelve (12) months.
This training webinar will provide information about the latest developments in corporate account takeover (CATO) and cybersecurity. Topics covered include the following:
- Account Takeover (ATO)
- Baseline Cyber Practices
- Current Threat Landscape
- Malware (Spyware, Keyloggers, Adware, Viruses, Ransomware)
- New Third-Party Vendor Relationships
The webinar will provide you actionable information that you can use to protect your business further. The training can be watched an unlimited number of times, so feel free to share it with your employees and utilize it as a part of your internal cybersecurity awareness program.
Link to On-Demand Online Security Awareness Training Webinar & Handouts (Updated: April 19, 2024)
If you have any concerns, questions, or would like more information, please contact our Electronic Banking department at (318) 951-4240.
Online Banking Security Awareness & Training
Customer communications with Sabine State Bank:
The Bank will not ask you for confidential information via email. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: account number, social security number, date of birth, user-name, password, or any other sensitive information. However, internet banking customers may send secure emails to the Bank by logging in to the Bank’s internet banking system, clicking on ‘Customer Service’, ‘Requests & Messages’, then ‘Ask A Question / Send A Message’. The Bank may also send secure messages via the internet banking system to our customers.
Warning Signs of a Potentially Compromised Computer System:
- Inability to log into online banking (thieves could be blocking access so that you would not see the theft until the criminal has control of your money)
- Sudden and dramatic loss of computer speed
- Changes in the way things appear on the screen
- Computer locks up so the user is unable to perform any functions
- Unexpected rebooting or restarting of the computer
- Unexpected request for a one-time password (or token) in the middle of an online session
- Unusual pop-up messages, especially a message in the middle of a session that says the connection to the bank system is not working (system unavailable, down for maintenance, etc.)
- New or unexpected toolbars and/or icons
- Inability to shut down or restart the computer
- Numerous unexpected emails
Suggested guidelines for commercial internet banking customers:
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Use pre-notification transactions to verify that account numbers and bank routing numbers within your ACH transactions are correct.
- Use limits for monetary transactions.
- Review transaction reports daily to confirm the validity of transactions originated.
- Use the ‘alert’ function of internet banking to verify daily activity.
- Delete or request that the Bank delete the user-names for terminated employees.
- Assign dual control responsibilities whenever practical for all electronic origination activities.
- Periodically review the risks your company takes when originating electronic transactions and take action to reduce identified risks.
- Provide continuous communication and education to employees using online banking systems. Providing enhanced security awareness training will help ensure employees understand the security risks related to their duties.
- Communicate to employees that passwords should be strong and should not be stored on the device used to access online banking
- Adopt advanced security measures by working with consultants or dedicated IT staff
- Utilize resources provided by trade organizations and agencies that specialize in helping small businesses
Suggested guidelines for all internet banking customers:
- Do not open e-mail from unknown sources. Be suspicious of e-mails purporting to be from a financial institution, government department, or other agency requesting account information, account verification, or banking access credentials such as user-names, passwords, PIN codes, and similar information. Opening file attachments or clicking on web links in suspicious e-mails could expose your system to malicious code that could hijack your computer.
- Never respond to a suspicious e-mail or click on any hyperlink embedded in a suspicious e-mail. Call the purported source if you are unsure who sent an e-mail.
- If an e-mail claiming to be from your financial organization seems suspicious, checking with your financial organization may be appropriate.
- Install anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware detection software on all computer systems. Free software may not provide protection against the latest threats compared with an industry standard product.
- Update all of your computers regularly with the latest versions and patches of anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware software.
- Ensure that computer software is patched regularly, particularly operating system and key applications.
- Install a dedicated, actively managed firewall, especially if using a broadband or dedicated connection to the internet, such as DSL, cable, or satellite. A firewall limits the potential for unauthorized access to your network and computers.
- Check your internet settings and select, at least, a medium level of security for your internet browsers.
- Clear the browser cache before starting an internet banking session in order to eliminate copies of web pages that have been stored on the hard drive. How the cache is cleared depends on the browser and version you are using. This function is generally found in the browser’s preferences or tools menu.
- Use the on-line help system by clicking on the ‘How do I...’ link located on each page of the Internet Banking system if you have questions about a particular function in the Internet Banking system.
- Use the ‘Communication Center – Requests and Messages’ located in the ‘Customer Service’ tab in the Internet Banking system to send a question directly to the Internet Banking Department or to locate contact information.
- Consider developing an incident response plan in the event you believe that your confidential information has been compromised.
Suggested guidelines for wireless network management:
- Change the wireless network hardware (router/ access point) administrative password from the factory default to a complex password. Save the password in a secure location as it will be needed to make future changes to the device.
- Disable remote administration of the wireless network hardware (router / access point).
- If possible, disable broadcasting of the network SSID.
- If your device offers WPA encryption, secure your wireless network by enabling WPA encryption. If your device does not support WPA encryption, enable WEP encryption.
- If only known computers will access the wireless network, consider enabling MAC filtering on the network hardware. Every computer network card is assigned a unique MAC address. MAC filtering will only allow computers with permitted MAC addresses access to the wireless network.
Suggested guidelines for all mobile banking customers:
These common precautions will help protect you from fraud and theft:
- Set your mobile phone or tablet to require a passcode at power on or when awakened from sleep mode. If your mobile phone or tablet is lost or stolen, any confidential information stored on the device will be more difficult to access.
- Whether you are using the mobile banking web site or a mobile banking app, do not let it automatically log you in to your bank accounts. Otherwise, if your phone or tablet is lost or stolen, someone could have unauthorized access to your accounts and your money.
- Do not save your mobile banking username, password, answers to secret questions or other such information on your mobile device.
- Immediately notify Sabine State Bank and your mobile service provider if you lose your phone or tablet. The sooner you report the loss, the better protected you are from fraudulent transactions.
- Download and install antivirus software for your mobile device, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Be careful when downloading mobile apps. Downloads should always be from a trusted and approved source such as Google Play and the Apple App Store.
- Do not ‘root’ or ‘jailbreak’ your mobile phone or tablet. Doing so increases the risk of malware on these devices.
- Avoid "free offers" and "free ringtones." An email or instant message that offers free software downloads, such as ringtones, may contain viruses or malware.
- Be cautious of emails or text messages from unknown sources asking you to update, or confirm your personal identifying information including passcode/password and account information. Do not reply to text messages from people or places that you do not know.
- Treat your mobile phone or tablet as carefully as you would your wallet, cash or credit cards.
- Keep track of account transactions. Review your bank account daily, statements monthly and as regularly as possible to rule out the chances of fraudulent transactions. If you notice discrepancies, contact Sabine State Bank immediately.
- Only use Wi-Fi on your mobile phone or tablet when connected to password-protected hotspots. Turn off Wi-Fi when you are away from your network or a trusted network/hotspot. Turn-off any auto-connect features. They might cause your phone or tablet to log into insecure wireless networks without your knowledge.
- Make sure you log out of social networking sites and online banking when you have finished using them.
- Install operating system updates, firmware updates, and application updates for your mobile phone or tablet as they become available for they often include security updates.
- Before you upgrade or recycle your mobile phone or tablet, securely erase all personal identifying information and business information.
Other resources for detecting and preventing identity theft:
Sabine State Bank Contact Numbers:
- ATM card and Debit card problems or questions – (318) 256-7870
- Sabine State Bank Main Office – Other Questions – (318) 256-7000
- Sabine State Bank Security Officer Richard Martone – (318) 256-7861
- Sabine State Bank Internet Banking Department – (318) 951-4240