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RBC introduces new Phishing Resource Centre to help protect
against online threats
TORONTO, October 9, 2007 — October is National
Cyber Security Awareness Month and RBC is helping to raise
awareness of online threats, while at the same time educating
consumers on how to protect themselves, through the introduction
of a new Phishing Resource Centre at www.rbc.com/security/phishing.html.
"Everyone needs to be more vigilant when conducting
business via the web, and through education and awareness
people can take simple steps to protect themselves against
online threats," said Jim O'Donnell, senior vice-president
and chief information security officer, RBC. "RBC is
continually educating clients through tools and practical
tips on our web site and one of the ways is through our new
Phishing Resource Centre."
Phishing scams try to trick consumers into disclosing personal
or financial information such as credit card or account numbers,
passwords and social insurance numbers, for the purpose of
financial fraud or identity theft. The Phishing Resource Centre
is designed to offer practical, step-by-step advice on how
to recognize, report and protect against this form of online
fraud.
Here are ten useful tips on how to help protect yourself
against online threats:
- Protect your personal information. Be aware of current
online ploys that try to get you to provide personal and/or
financial information. Do not respond to unsolicited e-mails
or phone calls that ask for confidential information.
- If you don't know the source of an e-mail or if it looks
suspicious, do not open it. Never click on a link or attachment
in an e-mail that you suspect may be fake.
- Remember to log off. Ensure that you always properly
log off and close your browser. This will prevent others
from being able to view this information later.
- Safeguard your PINs and passwords. Never share your passwords
and use ones that are difficult to guess, preferably ones
that include a mix of letters and numbers. Change your passwords
frequently.
- Be wary of pop-up windows. Avoid clicking any buttons
within a suspect pop-up window, as that may result in downloading
unwanted software. Just click CLOSE (usually an x) located
at the top right hand corner of the window.
- Keep your computer healthy. It is very important to check
the websites of your operating system and web browser vendors
for software "patches" and updates in order to
protect against software vulnerabilities.
- Use antivirus software. Antivirus software can protect
you from potentially damaging viruses that can enter your
computer without your knowledge. You should always use up-to-date
antivirus software and one that is capable of scanning files
and e-mail messages for viruses.
- Use personal firewalls. A firewall creates a barrier between
your computer and the rest of the Internet. It can help
to protect against malicious attacks and block certain types
of data from entering your computer.
- Use anti-spyware. Anti-spyware will help to protect your
computer against unwanted software from being installed
without your knowledge. Anti-spyware also helps protect
against slow performance.
- Use anti-spam software. Spam is a growing source of computer
viruses. Use up-to-date anti-spam software along with your
antivirus software. If you receive spam, remember this:
don't try, don't buy and don't reply. Just delete it.
For a complete list of tools and practical tips to help protect
yourself from online threats, please visit www.rbc.com/security/phishing.html.
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For more information or to arrange an interview with one
of our experts, contact:
Jackie Braden, Media Relations, 416 974 2124, jackie.braden@rbc.com
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