Internet Banking security

Protecting your Internet Banking account

We recommend following the guidelines below to help protect your Internet Banking account:

• Use a security token for an additional level of authentication. This provides greater security compared to a password alone, making it harder for criminals to access your accounts or information
• Never reveal your Internet Banking login details (password, security token 6-digit code, or four-digit PIN) under any circumstances. We will never ask you for this information in person or by SMS, email, or other form of communication
• Don’t store your Internet Banking login details on a device, or where they could be easily accessed by someone else
• Ensure your devices are protected by a PIN, biometrics, or other security measure, and with up-to-date anti-virus and firewall software
• If using a web browser:
  • Always log in to Internet Banking from the Rural Bank website by typing www.ruralbank.com.au
  • Never allow the web browser to remember (store) your Internet Banking password
  • Check there is a padlock symbol on the login page, and select the padlock to verify you are dealing with Rural Bank
• Never follow a link from an email or SMS that asks you to log in to Internet Banking, or enter your details if it takes you directly to a login screen
• Never leave a device unattended while logged in to Internet Banking
• Always select Log Out (found in the More menu in the Rural Bank app) when you are finished using Internet Banking. If you are using a web browser and leave Internet Banking without logging out, it is possible for someone to return to your logged in session until it times out
• Check your accounts regularly, including balances and transactions. If something doesn’t look right, let us know as soon as possible
• Avoid using internet cafes

Screen scraping

Screen scraping is a process of automated data gathering used by third party service providers.

Providing your Internet Banking Access ID and password allows the third party to access your account. They can then use scraping technology to copy your transactional data. Third parties that use this technology include online lenders, financial management and investment app providers, and accounting package providers.

Screen scraping may occur as a once off, or on a regular basis, depending on the requirements of the third party. The third party and the scraping technology provider may also store your Access ID, password, and/or transactional data for future use.

As we do not know the arrangement between you and the third party, or how your information is captured, shared, or stored, we cannot provide any assurance over the security practices of the third party or of the scraping technology provider.

It is against the terms and conditions of our banking products for you to provide your Internet Banking login details (Access ID, password, security token 6-digit code, or four-digit PIN) to a third party. We strongly recommend that you do not share your login details under any circumstances.

If you believe your details may have become known to another party, you should log in to Internet Banking as soon as possible and change your password.