Security
Horizon Website Security
Banking is quicker, easier, and more convenient with Horizon Credit Union’s Bill Payer and Online Banking. You can rely on us for both simplicity and safety. In order to stay on the cutting edge of security we have partnered with Digital Insight, an NCR Company, the leading provider of online banking services. Maintaining a high level of security requires many layers of defense spread across systems, operations, architecture, and third party partnerships. In short, it requires a Deep Defense. Digital Insight’s Deep Defense has incorporated numerous layers that prevent, detect, correct and report security threats for 1700+ financial institutions worldwide. We are proud to partner with Digital Insight to provide a secure online environment for our members.
Our online banking products and features are meant to work with the default settings of each browser. However, not all browsers are the same or have the same default settings!
Make sure that your browser is in the best shape for online banking by having the latest available version downloaded and keeping the following in mind:
Chrome/Firefox: Both Chrome and Firefox frequently release updates to their content and functionality. These updates should most likely not affect our online banking in any way, which means that not every version of Chrome and Firefox will be tested on release. However, our digital banking quality assurance teams will release security updates and test consumer releases to make sure you have the best possible experience.
Safari: By default, Safari blocks all third-party cookies from being accepted. This can cause features of online banking, including bill pay, to not work properly. If you are experiencing issues while using Safari, be sure to verify your cookie settings by going to Safari then Preferences and looking at the Privacy tab. The option to block cookies should be set to “Never.”
Internet Explorer / Microsoft Edge: As of Aug. 17, 2021 Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support Internet Explorer, which means Microsoft will no longer provide security patches, bug fixes or enhancements to IE. We recommend using Microsoft Edge, the default browser for Windows 10/11, instead.
Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, account information, Social Security number, passwords or other sensitive personal information.
Email: Typically a phishing email attempt looks like a legitimate company email. The email asks the recipients to update their personal information or their account will be terminated. They commonly also take the approach of offering additional services to protect you from fraud. These phishing attempts normally contain a proper “From:” email address and company logo. The web link included normally sends you to a fake website where you are asked to provide personal information.
Usually these fraudulent websites are “Spoofed” sites that are made to look like the intended site. A way to avoid being spoofed is to look at the URL you are visiting. Phishers will use misspelled URLs, subdomains like http://www.webaddress.org.banking.com, or anchor text to trick you. Anchor text is a link that reads Horizon Credit Union, but when clicked it actually goes to a spoofed site, not the legitimate site.
We do typically send out a monthly letter for inactive accounts but, we do not ask for any private information what so ever.
Email: The most common form of phishing occurs through your email
Please remember that Horizon will never ask you to verify personal or confidential information such as your social security number, your date of birth, your account number, or your passwords through email. As your Credit Union, we already have your account information and would only ask for identity verification over the phone to ensure we are dealing with you, not someone else.
Your passwords are for your information only and should not be shared with anyone including us, your financial institution. You should also change your passwords on a frequent basis.
Always access your Online Banking, Bill Payer, or secure e-mail accounts directly from our website or mobile application, never through an email.
You may be asked to update or verify your email if your email address is returned to us as undeliverable mail. This request will only come through your Online Banking Account after you have logged on through our website.
Phone: Phishers also target individuals through text messages and phone calls. Phishing attempts usually have these elements in common:
An unsolicited phone call from your financial institution stating they need some personal information such as account numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, and personal identification numbers (PIN). At no time will Horizon Credit Union contact you for this information.
Text Messages: Phishers have capitalized on the widespread use of text messaging. These attempts typically come in the form of a message stating that one or more of your Horizon Credit Union services has expired. They then instruct you to call a fraudulent phone number for renewal.
If you have any questions regarding the authenticity of an email, web site, phone call, or text message please call us at 1-800-852-5316 or email [email protected].
Create a Strong Password:
- Use at least 10 characters; 12 is ideal for users.
- Include a variety of characters such as upper case, lower case, numbers and special characters such as @ ! # $ , where accepted.
- Try to be unpredictable – don’t use names, dates, or common words. Mix numbers, symbols, and capital letters into the middle of your password, not at the beginning or end.
- Don’t use the same password for many accounts. If it’s stolen from you – or from one of the companies where you do business – thieves can use it to take over all your accounts.
- Don’t share passwords on the phone, in texts or by email. Legitimate companies will not ask you for your password.
- If you write down a password, keep it locked up, out of plain sight or use a secure password keeper.
Personal Firewall: A firewall is a secure and trusted application or machine that sits between a private network (your computer) and a public network (like the internet).A firewall is a set of rules, or a security policy, that determines what network traffic will be allowed to transmit outside the private network.
Virus Protection: Computer viruses are small software programs designed to spread from one computer to another with the intent to interfere with computer operations. Viruses might corrupt data, delete data, or even use your email to spread viruses to other computers. The easiest way to spread a virus is in an e-mail attachment, an instant massage, or by peer to peer networking.
Worms, Trojans, and Botnet are closely related to viruses.
A Worm just simply makes a copy of itself on your computer rather than infecting other files like viruses.
A Trojan is a program that secretly installs itself on your computer and opens a back door for remote malicious attacks.
A Botnet is a collection of software robots that run autonomously and automatically on groups of computers called “Zombie” computers. Most owners of zombie computers are unaware that their system is being used. Zombies are typically used to send e-mail spam.
To help avoid viruses, it’s essential that you keep your computer current with the latest updates and antivirus tools as well as stay informed about recent threats.
Spyware is a collection of software that can create a numerous headaches. It can collect personal information, display unwanted advertisements, spy on your browsing activity, or even alter the configuration of your computer. Adware, or advertising software, will automatically play, display, or download advertising material to a computer after the software is installed or while the program is running.
If you have any questions regarding the authenticity of an email, web site, phone call, or text message please call 800.852.5316 or email [email protected].
Network Settings & Guidance:Â Malicious actors may attempt to leverage your home network to gain access to your personal information. The National Security Agency provides this helpful document that you can use to protect yourself and your family with some best practices, and basic network configurations.
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We’re part of the CO-OP ATM network! That means with us you’ll gain access to over 30,000 ATM locations nationwide. That’s more than most banks!
Wherever you roam, Horizon’s along for the ride.
