Online Security Bank with added peace of mind Learn smart tips on how to improve your online protection. You are protected against fraud. As a personal customer, you are fully protected against third party fraud when banking online@hsbc. You will not suffer any loss if money is taken from your account without your permission provided you have not acted fraudulently or negligently. For further details, please refer to the Terms and Conditions listed in your online@hsbc service. Learn more about the five "golden rules" on online security. "Spyware" What is Spyware A computer software program that gathers information about a computer user without the user's knowledge or informed consent. Transmits the collected information to an unauthorised organisation that expects to be able to profit from it in some way. To prevent the spyware installation without your knowledge or consent, remember not to download any freeware onto the computer with which you are accessing internet banking. Always run an anti-virus software program and/or anti-spyware software before you download other programs or open emails. Update your anti-virus software and change your internet banking password REGULARLY to protect your personal data. To learn more about online security, please visit the HSBC Group online security page. What can you do To prevent the spyware installation without your knowledge or consent, remember not to download any freeware onto the computer with which you are accessing internet banking. Always run an anti-virus software program and/or anti-spyware software before you download other programs or open emails. Update your anti-virus software and change your internet banking password REGULARLY to protect your personal data. To learn more about online security, please visit the HSBC Group online security page. "Phishing" Phishing scams take the form of spoof letters, emails or websites. They look as though they are from or represent respectable institutions. They look so authentic that victims are fooled into revealing their account or personal information to unauthorised third parties. Remember, HSBC will never send you an email asking you to record confidential information online. If someone does ask you for it, they do not represent HSBC. Don't respond to or give away any information to these spoof emails. You should always treat your personal banking username and password as highly confidential. You are advised to change your passwords regularly. If you do receive any suspicious looking emails or other scams, please contact us immediately. For more information about internet security and email scams, please click here. Email Security Alerts and Spoof Website Recently customers of several financial institutions have received fraudulent emails. They tempt customers to click a link to a web site that mimics the look of the institution's own web site, where they are asked to enter their usernames, passwords and confidential banking details. Q:What is Trojan Software? A: It is a malicious code attached or embedded in software that is planted in a customer's PC by a fraudster to access the customer's personal information. There are now new forms of Trojans which have the capability to display unusual pop up windows and ask for confidential information (eg credit card numbers) when a customer is using online@hsbc. This information can be passed back to the fraudster. Other forms of Trojans include "key-loggers" which monitor and record the keystrokes when a person types on the keyboard (e.g. user ID or password). This information can be passed back to an unauthorised person. Q:What can I do to protect myself? A: There is much you can do to protect yourself online. Here are just some examples: - Get updates on your operating system and internet browser. - Use a personal firewall. - Use up-to-date anti-virus software. - Never click on hyperlinks embedded in suspicious e-mails and avoid visiting suspicious web sites. - Be wary of e-mails with suspicious attachment, even if it is from someone you know.