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Internet Banking Security

Privacy, Security & Identity Theft
The Bank of Elk River is dedicated to providing you with the most secure and stable environment to conduct your banking online.  Please read this page to understand more about what your role is in using www.TheBankofElkRiver.com and maximizing your security while online.  The Bank of Elk River, along with our trusted vendors, provide multiple layers of security to ensure your safety online.  The last layer of defense is you, so here is how you can help.

Quick Tips
1.    Always directly log on to the website through your browser instead of typing our name into a search engine, directory or clicking a link in an email (see phishing).

2.    Once logged on, verify our web address in the browser and make sure the appropriate SSL lock icon appears.  Our web address should also appear with "https" due to the applied security. For new versions of Explorer (7.0) and Firefox (2.0) this lock appears near the URL as shown below.  Some browser versions may show the lock icon in the lower right. View the browser examples below.



3.    Select passwords that are uncommon and do not involve family names, pet names or easily guessed dates (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.).
 
4.    Always dispose of paper documents with sensitive information appropriately.

FACT:  Identity theft is a greater risk through paper documents such as your mail and trash then online.

We ask that you NEVER email personal information or respond to emails claiming they are from us.  The Bank Elk River will not contact you through email for ANY account or sensitive information. This type of email scam is known as Phishing and we provide more information below.

Our multiple levels of Internet banking security include: 

o    Physical security at our locations and technology providers
o    Government Regulation and Oversight to protect your rights
o    Internet security which involves firewalls, SSL encryption and intrusion detection


What is Phishing & Pharming
Phishing attacks use both social engineering and technical subterfuge to steal consumers' personal identity data and financial account credentials.

Phishing uses 'spoofed' e-mails to lead consumers to counterfeit websites designed to trick recipients into divulging financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames, passwords and social security numbers.  These websites can often look like exact replicas.

The bottom line: Do NOT click links in emails to log-on or provide sensitive information.

Pharming uses technical subterfuge schemes that plant crimeware onto PCs to steal credentials directly, often using Trojan key-logger spyware. The crimeware misdirects users to fraudulent sites or proxy servers, typically through DNS hijacking or poisoning.

If you have more questions regarding these topics, please contact us.