Independent Farmers Bank
Internet Banking
Security Standards and
Requirements
Independent Farmers Bank safeguards
information according to established security standards and procedures in order
to keep your financial information secure and confidential. In addition, we
continually assess new technology for protecting information and have external
vendors perform regular audits of our system. The result is a "distributed
security" network, one that ensures protection throughout the banking
process.
Distributed security means that,
rather than rely on one security measure, Independent Farmers Bank uses many
lines of defense to protect your account information, including encryption,
firewalls, timed log off, virus protection, and a secure login process. Whether
you're enrolling online for Internet Banking, transferring money or paying your
bills, you can depend on your accounts and your account information being safe.
Encryption
Independent Farmers Bank uses
128-bit Secured Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for customer online transactions,
the highest level of security available. Each session uses a unique master key to encrypt messages.
Encryption is a communications process that scrambles private information to
prevent unauthorized access as information is being transmitted between your
browser and IFB Internet Banking. Once you sign off, the master key used for
that session becomes useless, since it is only good for one session.
Before you are able to login to IFB
Internet Banking, you must be using an Internet browser that supports 128-bit
SSL encryption.
Browsers compatible with IFB
Internet Banking include
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater
- Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or greater
SAFARI for Macintosh IS NOT
SUPPORTED
Firewalls
Independent Farmers Bank's computer
system does not connect directly to the Internet, as every system that
interacts with the Internet is at risk of attack from hackers. To protect our
systems that interact with the Internet, we use firewall technology to prevent
unauthorized access. A firewall is a system that blocks unauthorized
interactive access from individuals or other networks.
In addition, we use outside security
experts to attempt unauthorized entry, both internally and externally, to
ensure our systems are secure. We also monitor our systems for unauthorized
entries, and log any such attempts.
Users of Internet Banking should
have a firewall in place to keep their personal computers secure. Windows XP and
Timed Log
Off
There is a 10-minute time limit on
any Internet Banking screen, regardless of keystrokes. If 10 minutes has elapsed on your current
screen, or you forget to log off, IFB Internet Banking does it for you by
ending your current banking session automatically. Once the account session has
been terminated, no one will be able to access your secure information. You
will be returned to the login screen on your next selection, and will need to
log back in with your User ID and Password to access your IFB Internet Banking
Service.
Computer
Virus Protection
We use sophisticated tools to
detect and prevent computer viruses and malware from entering the bank's
computer network systems.
Users of Internet Banking should
have anti-virus protection installed on their personal computers in order to
detect and prevent computer viruses or malware from entering their systems. If your computer is infected, compromise of
confidential information is possible.
Contact a reputable PC repair shop or your ISP for recommendations on
appropriate anti-virus and anti-malware software.
Secure
Login
IFB Internet Banking uses Dual Authentication
for the secure login process. All
information is sent via a 128-bit SSL encrypted session. Upon enrollment, you will be asked to create
a unique User ID and password. You will
also be asked to answer a set of questions that will function as a security
challenge, and then to choose an authentication image and authentication phrase
that will serve as a visual authentication for the session. For added security, Independent Farmers Bank
does not have access to your password.
After 3 (three) incorrect attempts to login, your account will be
locked-out: you will need to contact
Independent Farmers Bank to have it reset.
Customer Responsibilities
Independent Farmers Bank takes
numerous steps to keep your accounts and personal information secure, but you
also play a role in maintaining the security of your banking information. Here’s what you can do:
Protect the confidentiality of your User ID and
Password
Before you can use the Service, you
must obtain a User ID and Password. Our online enrollment form permits you to
select a User ID of your choice. For security purposes, each User ID must be
unique, be at least 6 characters long, and contain a combination of at least on
alpha character, and one number or special character.
After your Internet Banking
enrollment, you will be issued a one-time 16-character password. You will use this password along with your
User ID to gain initial entry to your account.
Once logged on, you will be required to change your password. The password is case sensitive, must be at
least 6 characters long (the longer the more secure), and contain at least 4
alpha characters, 1 number and 1 special character. If you do not meet the password requirements,
you will receive an error and must try a different password. Because your password will permit entry into
the IFB Internet Banking Service and allow transfers to be made from/to your
accounts, you agree to keep your password confidential.
Creating a good password and
keeping it a secret is essential to keeping your account secure. As you are
responsible for what occurs with your User ID, it is strongly recommended that
you follow these guidelines to prevent someone from obtaining your password and
abusing your account:
- Make your password unique to you and change it
regularly. By default, the Internet Banking system will require you to
change it every 180 days.
- You should never use a password that would be easy for
others who know you to guess, or one that a common password cracking
utility could find (e.g., your name, address, anniversary, common
dictionary words, or sequential numbers, letters or special characters –
abc123!@#)
- Memorize your password. Your online password
authenticates you when you begin an Internet Banking session. You should
memorize this password and never write it down anywhere or reveal it to
anyone.
- Do not share your password with anyone. Sharing your User ID and password with
another gives access to your account, giving that individual authority to
use your name in a transaction.
- Do not say your password out loud.
If you forget your User ID or
password, you can contact our Internet Banking Customer Service at (816)
449-2182, and they will be able to find your User ID and reset your Password so
you may choose a new one.
-- ATTENTION --
No one at Independent Farmers Bank
will ever need to know your password.
You should never furnish your password to anyone who claims to represent
Independent Farmers Bank, whether through email, over the phone, or the
USPS. Instead, contact Independent
Farmers Bank and inform us of the request.
We will investigate.
Log off when you are not using Internet Banking
We recommend Internet Banking users
complete online transactions and log off before visiting other sites or turning
off their PCs. We also suggest they do not visit other sites when logged on to
the Internet Banking Service.
In addition, you may not always be
at your own computer when you bank online. Therefore, it's important to log off
when you're finished banking. If you forget to do so, IFB Internet Banking
automatically times-out after 10 minutes of inactivity. Using public computers for Internet Banking
is highly insecure and is not recommended.
Use a current version of your Internet browser
As mentioned above, Internet
Explorer 6.0 or greater and Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or greater are recommended for
use with Internet Banking.
However, if you choose not to use
one of these browsers, please be sure your browser complies with industry
security standards, such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL). In addition, we recommend the following to
maintain the security of your Internet Banking Service:
- Use your browser's built-in security features.
Choosing certain security settings and options will help protect the
privacy of your accounts and personal information.
- Always update your browser when new versions are
released. They often include new security features.
- Check your browser for built in safety features that
you may or may not elect to use.
Ensure
your information is secure
Sending sensitive information such
as your social security number, account number, or other personal data over the
Internet can be dangerous. You should
validate the reputation of the company you are doing business with and
communicate over a "secure" means of transmission. Before sending
private information on the Internet, make sure you are using a
"secured" connection.
When you sign in to Internet
Banking from the Independent Farmers Bank web site, your user ID and password
are sent over the Internet from your computer to the Internet Banking servers
using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. SSL encrypts your personal
information before it leaves your computer, ensuring that no one else can read
it.
After you log in, you can check
that your Internet Banking session is secure in two ways:
- Look for the small padlock icon usually located in the
lower right hand corner of your Web browser window. A closed, or locked,
padlock indicates a secure connection.
For Internet Explorer 7, it is located in the address bar. The full
address will display in green, with the name “Precision Computer Systems
Inc [
- Look for the letters "https://" at the
beginning of the Web site address or URL in your Web browser. The
"s" means secure.
In addition, we suggest you do not
keep sensitive information on any of your hard drives, and keep financial data
on a removable disk or CD in a secure location.
You are responsible for keeping your
online password, account numbers, personal identification information, and
other account data confidential:
- Do not give or disclose any part of your User ID and
Password to anyone. Bank employees will request your User ID when
accessing your account profile, but should never ask for your Password.
- Do not have your account information, including your
computer screen, out in an open area accessible by others.
- Do not send your User ID and Password or account
information over any public or general e-mail system.
- Do not release any personal information on the phone,
in the mail, or over the Internet unless you initiate the contact or are
certain you know whom you're dealing with.
- Contact us immediately if there are charges on your
account you don't recognize.
- Do not leave your computer unattended while you are
connected to the Internet Banking Service.
- Be sure to log off of the Internet Banking Service
when you have completed your session. If you forget to log off and there
has been no activity for 10 minutes, Independent Farmers Bank will
automatically end the session. After your service has
"timed-out," you will need to log back on with your User ID and
Password.
CLICK HERE TO LOG INTO INTERNET BANKING
Revised 12/03/2008