Security

Home Computer Protection
Secure Computer Practices
Protection of Passwords and Personal Verification Questions
Antiphishing
Disposal of Confidential, Private or Sensitive Documents

Home Computer Protection

Protect your computer from viruses

There are various forms of computer viruses existing on the Internet today that are targeting online financial services. It is important for you to protect the privacy of your information by installing the appropriate programs on your personal computer. Protect your computer by ensuring you have an anti-virus program installed and that you update it regularly. Most anti-virus programs offer automatic upgrades to help ensure you are always up to date. Viruses can damage your computer, lead to the loss of your files, and some can capture information from your computer and send it across the Internet to another computer.

Do not open attachments to e-mails unless you trust the person or company that sent you the e-mail. Ensure your anti-virus program automatically scans your e-mail attachments for viruses.

Use a firewall

When your computer is connected to the Internet, it is vulnerable to "attack" through the Internet connection. Although this is a problem for all types of Internet connections, DSL and cable modem connections are more vulnerable because they offer an "always on" capability. You can help protect your computer from attack by using a personal firewall. Personal firewalls can be software, hardware, or both, and create a barrier to attacks.

Microsoft Windows XP and Apple MacOS X both include basic personal firewalls, but you must activate them to be effective.

Secure Computer Practices

When you're traveling, use a trusted computer whenever possible.

Never leave your computer unattended once you have signed in to any personal services account.

After completing your transactions, ensure that you sign out of the personal services account, clear your cache, and close your browser.

Beware of e-mail fraud

Be wary of e-mails that ask for personal information and never provide your personal passwords, personal information numbers or login information for MCAP account access.

Beware of identity fraud

Identity fraud is the stealing of personal information and then using it illegally. Once thieves have enough personal information, whether they retrieve it from unshredded documents in your trash, steal your purse or wallet, or gather information that you have posted on the Internet, they may change your address with creditors and apply for new loans or credit cards in your name or sell valuable property such as your home. You may not be aware of the theft of your identity until months or years have passed.

Take all the appropriate steps to protect yourself against identity fraud, including protecting your personal information, memorizing your passwords and reporting thefts and losses immediately.

Do not give any account or personal information to anybody, whether in person, over the phone, or online, unless you are confident that you are sure who you are dealing with. Do not carry your Social Insurance Number card, birth certificate or passport unless it is necessary and when storing these they should be in a secure manner.

Check for anti-virus programs and firewalls

The computer you use may be vulnerable to viruses or online attacks that seek to intercept sensitive information that you provide through the Internet. To reduce the chances of harm, try to ensure that any computer you use to access has an up-to-date firewall and anti-virus program or service.

Clear your browser's cache

If you use a public or shared computer to access your account, it is vital that you sign out when you are finished, and where possible, delete the browser's cache and cookies. The cache maintains a copy of web pages that have been viewed recently.

Protection of Passwords and Personal Verification Questions

Protect Your Password

Your password is your signature when accessing your account. It verifies to us that you are the person that is to access the account. Never share, disclose, allow others to view while entering or provide your password to another party or website other than MCAP, and know that MCAP will never send you an e-mail requesting this information.

Never save your password on a publicly accessed computer.

If using a public access computer such as an Internet Café or public library, change your password after completeing your session contact the site you were accessing and request they change your password.

When selecting a password, choose a series of characters that cannot be easily guessed by anyone else.

Don't use:
  • A password you use for any other service
  • Your name or a close relative's name
  • Your birth date, telephone number or address, or those of a close relative
  • Your MCAP Account number
    • Keep your Personal Verification Question (PVQ) answers safe

    Do not share your Personal Verification Question (PVQ) answers with anyone, and do not disclose them in any e-mails. Giving your PVQ answers to another person or company places your finances and privacy at risk. MCAP will never send you an e-mail requesting this information.

    Your PVQ answers for MCAP Online Banking should be unique - do not use PVQ answers that you have used previously on other web sites.

    Antiphishing

    Phishing is the act of tricking someone into giving them confidential information or tricking them into doing something that they normally wouldn’t do or shouldn’t do.

    Be wary of e-mails that ask for personal information and never provide your personal passwords, personal information numbers or login information for any personal account.

    MCAP will never send a request or ask you for personal information in an email, telephone call to you or through any other form except when you call us.

    MCAP will not under any circumstance send any e-mail that:
  • Asks the customer to provide, confirm or update personal records
  • Claims to have been sent from a third party address or link to a third party site on MCAP’s behalf and asking for personal or financial information.
  • Contains no information about why a customer is receiving an e-mail from MCAP
  • Is requiring an urgent response


    • Disposal of Confidential, Private or Sensitive Documents

    Shred or tear up junk mail and statements.

    Identity fraud often occurs by thieves going through trash looking for offers of credit cards, bank, credit card statements and credit card receipts, etc. Some of this information may appear as junk mail but are a valuable source of information to use someone else’s identity. This information should be shredded or torn up and not visable when being placed in the garbage.

    In addition, never leave a signed charge card receipt in a restaurant on a table or in a store on the counter. These should be handed directly to the person you have just done business with.