Security

We are aware that fraudsters are operating on the internet, with many scams targeting financial services organisations and their clients. We take every step to ensure the security of our systems and the details stored on them. We recommend that you take similar action to secure your details. To help you, we have put together the following security advice:

•Our Website Security
•Your PC security
•Common Online Scams

The security of your financial information is very important to us and we take every step to protect you online. We use the latest technology to ensure that our online dealing service is a safe and secure environment. Here is what we do:

You have the facility to send us secure emails via contact us. As these emails are sent from our website they are covered by enhanced security which helps to protect your personal details and information.

Your PC Security

• Anti-virus protection
• Updates and patches
• Personal Firewall
• Downloads (including Spyware)
• Email attachments 

Anti-virus protection is software that can scan your incoming and outgoing mail to detect and if required destroy any known viruses. It can also scan your computer and destroy any viruses if detected.

If you use anti-virus software, ensure that you regularly update the software to keep it as up to date as possible.
If your anti-virus software has a virus scanner option, it is recommended that you scan your computer regularly - at least once a month.
Anti-virus software is available from many different manufacturers, with the main providers being Norton (from Symantec), McAfee and Zone Alarm. See the manufacturers' websites for further details.

Software patches work to close a hole or weakness in your computer's software. Keep your operating system (e.g. Windows XP or Windows 98) and your web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape) up to date by regularly checking the manufacturers' websites.

For Windows and Internet Explorer updates go to: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
For Netscape Navigator go to: http://wp.netscape.com/security/
For Macs go to: http://www.apple.com/uk/support/

Personal Firewall software works in the background on your computer and prevents any unauthorised access to your computer while you use the Internet.

As with anti-virus software, ensure that you regularly update the software.
It is recommended that your Firewall is set up to work both inbound and outbound, so that you control not only what you allow into your PC, but also what leaves it.
Personal Firewall software will not protect your computer from any viruses so should run alongside Anti-Virus software.
Personal Firewall software is also built into Window XP, although it may need to be activated.

There are many Internet frauds that rely on people downloading software to their computer often without their knowledge or consent. These programs can include Spyware, Trojan software and Premium diallers.

Do not download any software onto your computer unless it is from a trusted source or site.
Some pop-ups will not close unless you click 'yes'. These will download a malicious program onto your computer.
Be vigilant when downloading other software off the internet such as MP3s as malicious software is often 'hidden' amongst legitimate software.

Spyware is a program that will secretly gather information about you as you use your computer.

It is commonly downloaded without the knowledge or consent of the user.
It can slow down your computer, alter your homepage, produce lots of adverts or links to websites and even include keystroke loggers to record details such as passwords and user names.
There is free software available, for example Spybot, that claim to be able to remove Spyware from your computer. See the manufacturers' websites for further details.

Trojan programs are hidden programs, again commonly downloaded without the knowledge or consent of the user, that can give control of your computer to a hacker or gather information about you as you use your computer.

They can record your key strokes with the aim of capturing your online user IDs, passwords and other sensitive details. The captured details can then be passed on to the hacker.
They can also access or delete files stored on your computer and even view what is on your screen.
If you are using anti-virus software, this should detect and destroy any Trojan program on your computer.
There are a number of specialist software programs that claim to detect and remove Trojans. See the manufacturer websites for further details.

There is currently an internet scam affecting dial-up internet users which changes the way your computer connects to the internet, resulting in a very large phone bill.

The scam works in the same way as Spyware or Trojan programs in being a program which is downloaded without the users consent or knowledge.

The program is a premium rate dialler, that replaced your chosen internet dialler. Then every time you access the internet after that point you will be charged at a premium rate.

The dialler may also access the internet when you are using the computer but not online if you leave your computer connected to a phone line.

If you are a Broadband user this will not affect you, as long as you have disconnected the internal dial-up modem from your phone socket and don't use this modem to make fax or voice calls.
If you have any suspicions contact your telephone services supplier.

Be vigilant of attachments sent to you via email, especially if you do not recognise the sender. Emails are a common way to spread viruses, if you are at all suspicious, do not open the email and delete it immediately.

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Phishing is where fraudsters pretend to be a financial institution such as Barclays Bank in order to persuade you to enter your security details into a bogus website. Their aim is to obtain your security details and remove money from your accounts and their emails and websites are often very convincing.

We will never send you an unsolicited email asking for personal security information.

We take email security very seriously (see Our Website Security). But if you are at all concerned about receiving emails please choose not to use emails for sending us queries or receiving information from us such as Equity Research grade changes and Order Service updates. You will be offered the opportunity to either unsubscribe from any emails sent by us or you can choose ‘do not send’ when placing orders using our Order Service.

Please be on your guard against emails that request any of your security details. If you receive a suspicious email, please contact us.  Please note that you will receive an email from us should you select ‘Forgotten your password’ online. The email will have a unique link to a secure page where you will need to confirm characters from your memorable word and then be able to change your password online.

This scam involves someone offering, via an email or website, an opportunity to gain employment within Nigeria at "THE NEW BARCLAYS NIGERIA BANK PLC" office. In this scam you are asked to provide various personal details although ultimately you will be accepted for the role. The scam also requires that, before your employment can start, you must pay an advanced fee in lieu of your starting date. Please note that Barclays is in no way associated with THE NEW BARCLAYS NIGERIA BANK PLC nor with this scam and the offer of employment which it promises. Moreover, Barclays' office in Nigeria is in Lagos only. Accordingly, please ignore any request which conforms with this scam and please delete the email.

A current scam involves someone offering, via an email or website, to pay funds into your bank account on the understanding you then transfer them overseas. In return, you supposedly get a commission. Many of these scams involve the proceeds of fraud. Ignore the request and delete the email.

This scam involves being contacted to advise you that you have won a substantial amount of money. You will be asked to send bank details and other personal information. These scenarios are not genuine and your personal information may be used in other types of fraud.

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