Security

 

Security is important to us

Rural Bank and its website www.rbonline.com.au takes website security very seriously. This website is best viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.5 or higher, Netscape Navigator Version 7.0 or higher or Firefox 1.4 (Mozilla) Browsers that support Verisign Global Certificates.

The application process on this website is data encrypted using SSL technology secured by a Verisign Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate. This is the Verisign encryption certificate that verifies encryption.

What is the purpose of data encryption?

Data encryption is used as a means of disguising messages sent from one computer to another computer to obscure its meaning. Rural Bank employs the highest level of encryption available via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to protect your personal details.

Visible indicators that you are securely connected include:
The 'padlock' symbol usually displayed in the bottom left hand corner of your browser screen at and after logon (as displayed in the Microsoft Internet Explorer example below):



You can double click on it to confirm that the certificate of authenticity has been issued to www.rbonline.com.au



The website address in the address bar of your Internet browser should always be prefixed by https as shown in the following example. This ensures you are on our secure web server.

The RBonline homepage and general information screens are not data encrypted as they do not allow any private information to be processed. These screens are prefixed by http only.

Your computing responsibility

Despite the precautions Rural Bank and RBonline have taken to protect your information, you should be aware that you enter your details at your own risk as set out in our website disclaimer. You should always ensure that you have adequate and up to date virus protection and firewall software on your own computer. For more information on security software click here.

3 simple steps to protecting your banking online...

  1. Purchase a Rural Bank Internet Banking security token. Find out more...;
  2. Install Anti-virus software; Firewall software and keep them and your operating system up to date. Find out more...
  3. Never follow a link in an email. Rural Bank will never send you an email asking for your banking details. 



How to Protect Yourself
To ensure your Internet Banking is secure, follow our Golden Rules:

  • Always log on to Internet Banking by typing www.ruralbank.com.au or www.rbonline.com.au
  • When online with Rural Bank, always check the address field displays our official website, www.rbonline.com.au (The address field will not be visible once you are logged into Internet banking).
  • Never follow an email link which takes you directly to a logon screen.
  • Purchase a Security Token for a second level of authentication.
  • Ensure your computer is protected by up-to-date anti-virus and personal firewall software.
  • Only conduct financial transactions online using computers you know are secure. This means that use of Internet cafes should be avoided.
  • Always exit your Internet Banking session when finished, by clicking the 'Log off' button in the top right-hand corner of the window.
  • Always check there is a padlock symbol on the bottom right corner of the log-on page (where you enter your PIN and Access ID). Click on the padlock to verify you are dealing with Rural Bank. Click here for more information on our security measures.
  • Never divulge your PIN. Rural Bank will never ask you for your PIN (either in person or by email).
  • Never leave your computer unattended while logged on to Internet Banking.
  • Regularly check your account balances and transaction histories and immediately report any discrepancies to Rural Bank.
  • You should protect the security of your PIN and Access ID at all times. Allowing somebody to know these details is the same as giving them a signed blank cheque. If you believe your details may have become known to another person, you should log on to our Internet Banking site immediately and change your PIN.

You should immediately be suspicious of any phone call, email or correspondence which asks you to disclose your banking details. (To be certain the caller is an authorised bank representative, you can always ask to call us back, then dial Rural Bank Internet and Phone Banking Support Services on 1300 651 839 or our Customer Service Centre on 1300 660 115 for a local call cost.) Rural Bank or its staff should never, for example, ask you for your PIN (although in some circumstances we might ask you to verify your Access ID).


For further information on protecting your privacy, view the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Media Release on E-fraud by clicking here.

 

If you receive a suspect email

  • Do not open it.
  • Delete it from your inbox and then permanently delete it from your Deleted Items folder.
  • If you have clicked on the link in the email:
  • Use your virus protection software to scan your computer for viruses and Trojans.
  • After scanning your computer, contact Rural Bank on 1300 651 839 (until 8.00pm weekdays, 6.00pm Saturday and 4.00pm Sunday). If necessary, we can reset your Access ID.
  • Once you are certain your computer is virus-free, we suggest you change your Internet Banking PIN for peace of mind.
  • It is critical that you ensure your computer is free of viruses before logging on to Internet Banking. If you have any questions about virus protection, please contact your software vendor or your internet services provider.
  • If you believe your Internet Banking details may have been compromised by one of the methods above, please contact Rural Bank immediately on 1300 651 839. Alternatively, you can alert us of any suspicious activity you have witnessed by emailing us here.

 

Want an additional security feature?

If you would like an additional security feature, we offer security tokens for peace of mind.

Rural Bank security tokens provide a second level of authentication for your Rural Bank Internet Banking service used in conjunction with your Access Number and PIN.

They are compact in size and easy and convenient to use.

Once you have purchased and activated your Rural Bank Security Token, you cannot logon to Rural Bank Internet Banking without your Access Number, PIN and the Authentication Key generated by the token. It is important that your Rural Bank Security Token is activated immediately to maximise the protection it offers. This will eliminate the risk of criminals logging into your Internet Banking, as they will not have the token to access the Authentication Key.

Two models to choose from

Vasco One Touch Security Token

 

Small, key ring size, and light with a simple "one touch" operation. At the press of the button, it generates a "one time" six-digit number called an Authentication Key. The Authentication Key number changes with every use.

The device uses Greenwich Mean Time so that it works anywhere in the world. Convenient and durable with a life expectancy of 5 years.

Vasco Professional Security Token

Compact and palm size, with a life expectancy of 10 years. The keypad located on the front of the Security Token offers another level of security before you attempt to access your Rural Bank Internet Banking session. A separate PIN must be entered into the Security Token keypad before the Authentication Key will be displayed. This extra security option is particularly beneficial to business customers who may have their Security Token in the office and do not want other staff to be able to access it.


How to order your Rural Bank Security Token:
If you are a current Rural Bank Internet Banking customer, but do not have our Pay Anyone service, you will need to call us on 1300 651 839 and ask for the security token offer.

If you are a current Rural Bank Internet Banking customer and have our Pay Anyone service, you will have already received the security token offer online. If you selected the 'Order Token' option you will be in possession of your token. If you selected the 'Not Now' option and postponed the order process, you can return to the order page at any time by selecting 'Customer Services' and then 'Security Options'.

If you have any questions about the online ordering process or to register for Internet or Phone Banking please call Rural Bank Internet and Phone Banking Services on 1300 651 839.

 

For more security information

The following sites can be visited for more information on security issues in general relating to Internet usage.

 

More Internet Banking security

Rural Bank is very conscious of protecting the security of its customers' information. We have taken several steps to ensure the confidentiality of your personal and account information.
A number of security features exist to ensure communication between Rural Bank and its customers is secure.

These include:

  • robust firewall technology to prevent unauthorised access to the Bank's systems;
  • a security team that constantly monitors the system for suspicious activity;
  • the generation of automatic alerts when abnormal activities occur;
  • 128 bit data encryption to protect your password, account details and other sensitive information, including any messages sent via Secure Email, from being accessed by an unauthorised party; and
  • a short time-out limit that automatically logs you off and ends your session.

Rural Bank takes every available viable security measure to provide a secure environment in which to perform your banking.

Australian Bankers' Association Fact Sheets