• Back to previous page

• Step 1: Protect your computer
• Step 2: Keep your identity secure
• Step 3: Stay safe online

Step 1: Protect Your Computer

To protect your computer you will need to use anti-virus software, maintain a firewall, and ensure that your computer software (your OS or operating system) is up-to-date:

• Install and maintain antivirus software
  

  Anti-virus software protects your computer in two ways. First, it detects and removes any computer viruses and spyware that have been installed on your computer without your permission. Second, it prevents viruses and spyware from infecting your computer and compromising your online security.

  If you do have antivirus software (like Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee Antivirus, or Zone Alarm Anti-virus) update your virus definitions at least once a week to keep the latest threats at bay.

• Maintain a firewall
  

  The firewall is a security application that sits between your computer and the internet shielding your PC from unauthorised access. Any PC that you use to access the internet should use a firewall.

  We recommend that your Firewall is set to monitor both incoming and outgoing internet traffic - this ensures that you have control over information that enters and leaves your PC.

  Windows XP and Mac OS X have firewalls built into them. Consult your help menus for instructions on checking or setting up your firewall. In addition, you can download free firewall applications from sites like Download.com or obtain a firewall in a commercially available product.

• Ensure that your computer software is up-to-date
  You should regularly check for updates to your operating system and your most commonly used applications. If you have a Windows computer, you should visit the Windows Update site once or twice each month. If you have an Apple computer running OS X, you should run the Software Update tool once or twice each month. For patches / updates for any of your software applications, visit the software publisher's website.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group does not endorse or indemnify information carried on sites outside of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

Step 2: Keep Your Identity Secure

In step one, we looked into what you can do to make your computer more secure. Here, in step two, we take a look at simple measures that you can take to keep your personal information secure:

• Look after your security details
  

  Remember that we will never ask you to supply your complete password in order to access our internet banking service - we only ever ask for parts of your password.

  Your Security Number and Password are the key to your online accounts and information. You should keep these in a safe place, never share them with any one else, and change your password regularly to ensure its security.

• Watch out for fraudulent (or 'phishing') e-mails
  

  Phishing is a fraud technique commonly used to attempt to trick people into revealing their security number and password to fraudsters. Here is how a phishing scam typically works: The fraudster sends out a fake e-mail that has been designed to look like it comes from a reputable source (like RBS International). This fake e-mail asks for security details or directs customers to a counterfeit banking or commerce site. At the counterfeit site, the fraudster asks the customer to enter their complete security details - password, security questions, user name... the sky is the limit. These stolen security details are then used to commit fraud.

  If you receive an e-mail requesting your security details do not reply and do not follow the instructions even if the e-mail suggests that you need to take immediate action to stop your account being frozen or it indicates that you may incur a fine if you don't.

  These are just tricks that the fraudster is using to manipulate you in to giving away your vital details.

  If you suspect a phishing attack, call us on the relevant number below:

  ibanking Customer Helpdesk:
  National number: 01534 282870
  Overseas number: +44 (0) 1534 282870

  OnLine Banking Customer Helpdesk:
  National number: 0845 300 0458
  Overseas number: +44 (0)1423 534755

  Calls may be recorded.

• Become a smarter web user
  The more you know about fraud, the less likely you are to become a fraud victim. Credit card fraud, telephone scams, and internet fraud all use unique mechanisms for doing the same thing: stealing your information. The three most commonly used internet scams are phishing, trojans, and spyware. Learn about these and other fraud threats by taking a minute to read our Fraud Jargon Buster.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group does not endorse or indemnify information carried on sites outside of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

Step 3: Stay Safe Online

In step one, we looked into what you can do to make your computer more secure. In step two, we discussed the importance of guarding your security details and understanding more about the types of fraud that you are likely to encounter. In our final step, Stay Safe Online, we discuss simple actions you can take when online to better protect yourself:

• Check the security of eCommerce and eBanking sites
  

  As we mentioned in Step 2: Keep Your Identity Secure, counterfeit (or spoof) sites are often used by fraudsters to lull you into a false sense of security. Following these three steps should ensure that the site you think you are banking with is a genuine banking site:

  • Step 1: Always type the internet Banking URL directly into your browser.
    By typing www.rbs.co.uk directly into your browser instead of following links, you greatly reduce your chances of being duped by a spoof site.
  • Step 2: Check for 'https' and the lock.
    Genuine secure sites have addresses that start with 'https' and display a padlock icon in the bottom section of your internet browser.
  • Step 3: Double click that lock.
    Double clicking the lock icon that appears in the bottom section of your internet browser brings up information about the lock that can help you confirm that the site is genuine. If the lock is not within its valid dates or has been issued to a website that you do not recognise, do not enter your security details and call us on the relevant number below:
    
    ibanking Customer Helpdesk:
    National number: 01534 282870
    Overseas number: +44 (0) 1534 282870
    
    OnLine Banking Customer Helpdesk:
    National number: 0845 300 0458
    Overseas number: +44 (0)1423 534755
    
    Calls may be recorded.
• Always logout of secure sites
  Never leave your computer unattended when logged in to a secure session (like internet banking). Ensure that you log-out properly when you have finished your internet banking session.
• Be extra careful when using computers in public places
  As you cannot be certain about the security of public wireless networks or computers in public places (like a library or internet cafe) you should be cautious about using internet banking services in these situations. Never change your security details while using a public wireless network or a public computer.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group does not endorse or indemnify information carried on sites outside of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.