At BMO, we take your security seriously. We are committed to respecting and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information you entrust to us. It is also important to know how to keep your information secure. This article provides a few simple ways you can protect yourself online, as well as some key reminders for detecting fraud. Please be reminded that these are suggestions and we recommend that you speak to a technology professional about your digital security.
Use discretion with public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi hotspots offer minimal security and may leave you vulnerable to cyber threats because you can’t control what security measures are being taken. As such, accessing your financial accounts while connected to public Wi-Fi is not recommended. To learn more, please review how to: Safely use Wi-Fi Networks on bmo.com/security.
Passwords – strengthen, change, and don’t reuse
To make sure that your passwords remain secure, it’s good to get into the habit of changing them regularly – for your computer, Wi-Fi, and all online accounts and websites. Given today’s technological advances, hackers need less time and resources to crack passwords. What may have previously been considered a “complex” password can often be deciphered in minutes, if not seconds by cyber criminals.
Consider the following tips when creating or updating your passwords:
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While most sites detail their password requirements, strong passwords should include a combination of letters, numbers and special characters, if permitted;
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Creating a passphrase may be easier to remember and more difficult for someone else to crack. For example, “I love to downhill ski” could become 1l0v3tOd@wnhillsk1;
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Don’t repeat passwords across multiple platforms in case one of your accounts is compromised; and
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Change your passwords frequently to minimize the chance it gets captured by an outsider.
Securing your computer
To help protect your account information, make sure that your computer is free of viruses and malware, and that your network connection is secure. It is recommended that you have antivirus software installed on your computer to help protect against malware such as viruses, worms, Trojans and adware, all of which can be harmful to the security of your computer and, as a result, your information.
Securing your network and browser
Network security
When you secure your network you decrease the chance of hackers gaining access to your network and, consequently, your personal information. To help protect the integrity of your network, you can use a software or hardware-based firewall.1
Browser security
With fraudulent websites becoming harder to spot, it’s important to be able to verify the web pages you’re visiting, especially for online banking or when viewing your investment accounts online. To start, we recommend downloading Trusteer Rapport® software. It’s free to download on your desktop and laptop, easy to set up, and it will ensure that you’re accessing bmo.com, for instance, and not an imposter site.
Permanently delete files
When you delete a file on your computer, it does not mean that it’s gone forever. The information still exists on your hard drive until it is overwritten by new data. As a result, identity thieves can retrieve personal information from your hard drive after you sell or donate your computer, even if you deleted the file. To prevent this type of information theft from occurring, it’s important to follow a proper electronic file disposal procedure to make your files unrecoverable.
Emailing personal information
Email is an easy and convenient way to communicate with your BMO financial professional. However, it can involve sending attachments or providing personal information. To help ensure that information being sent over email is secure, BMO employees use, and clients can access, BMO’s PROTECT Message Center (“PROTECT”). PROTECT is a free service that’s easy-to-use. It encrypts/scrambles your confidential information and stores it in a secure format for 90 days, enabling you to send and receive emails with confidence knowing that the information inside is protected. To enroll, speak to your BMO financial professional.
Detecting fraud
Knowing how to detect fraud is a key aspect of keeping your personal and account information safe and secure. Phishing schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it’s important to know what to watch for.
As a reminder, BMO will never:
1. Call or email you to ask for your debit/credit card PIN or Online Banking password.
2. Send you an email and request that you provide your banking details by clicking on a link in the email. Our preference is to direct you to our website.
3. Ask you to email or text personal or banking information.
If you receive such a request, please forward it as an email attachment to phishing@bmo.com, and then delete the message.2
Spotting fraudulent emails
The following are some tips that can help you recognize fraudulent emails. Be cautious if:
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The email is sent from a source or person with whom you have not previously communicated via email;
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The email is coming from an unsolicited source, contains attachments, or states that it is a follow-up to an action you did not take;
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The web address provided in the body of the email is clearly not leading to a BMO site. For example, be cautious if the web address contains the “@” symbol or is completely numeric (e.g., 123.456.1.2.);
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The email contains multiple spelling or grammatical errors. Legitimate emails do not contain these types of mistakes;
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The email contains threatening language or invokes a sense of urgency (e.g., “The account has been suspended” or “Click here immediately to reactivate your account”); or
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The email lacks details about who is sending the email (e.g., no street address or company name).
BMO Privacy Code – Canada
The BMO Privacy Code – Canada, which applies to the operations of BMO Financial Group in Canada, outlines our privacy commitment to you and incorporates our privacy principles, including consent and your choices. You can review the code on the BMO site: Our Privacy Code | BMO.
More information about enhancing your security can be found on the BMO Security Centre.
1 A firewall is a program or device that inspects the information passing between your computer and its network connection. It blocks malware from gaining access to your computer, and also prevents the spread of any malicious software that finds its way onto your computer from spreading to your network.
2 Standard messaging and data charges may apply.
BMO Private Wealth provides this publication for informational purposes only and it is not and should not be construed as professional advice to any individual. The information contained in this publication is based on material believed to be reliable at the time of publication, but BMO Private Wealth cannot guarantee the information is accurate or complete. Individuals should contact their BMO representative for professional advice regarding their personal circumstances and/or financial position. The comments included in this publication are not intended to be a definitive analysis of tax applicability or trust and estates law. The comments are general in nature and professional advice regarding an individual’s particular tax position should be obtained in respect of any person’s specific circumstances.
BMO Private Wealth is a brand name for a business group consisting of Bank of Montreal and certain of its affiliates in providing private wealth management products and services. Not all products and services are offered by all legal entities within BMO Private Wealth. Banking services are offered through Bank of Montreal. Investment management, wealth planning, tax planning, philanthropy planning services are offered through BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and BMO Private Investment Counsel Inc. If you are already a client of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., please contact your Investment Advisor for more information. Estate, trust, and custodial services are offered through BMO Trust Company. BMO Private Wealth legal entities do not offer tax advice. BMO Trust Company and BMO Bank of Montreal are Members of CDIC.
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