We have implemented a range of advanced security measures to protect your personal and financial information. From firewalls and encryption to two-factor authentication (2FA) and geo-blocking, our systems are designed to safeguard your data and ensure that your online transactions are secure.
Below, you'll find an overview of the key security features we have in place to keep your account safe when accessing our website, internet banking, and mobile banking services.
Our website and online banking services are protected by advanced firewalls using adaptive security algorithms (ASA). These firewalls create a secure barrier between our systems and the internet, safeguarding our internal networks from unauthorised access and external threats.
Whenever you use our online banking services or submit information through one of our website forms, your data is secured with 128-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, which is the industry standard for banking. SSL encryption works by scrambling your information using complex mathematical algorithms, ensuring that only authorised recipients can read it.
SSL offers security in two main ways:
• Verifying the identity of our website through a digital certificate.
• Encrypting all information sent during your session.
You can confirm that your session is secure by looking for a padlock icon in your browser window. Clicking on this icon will give you details about the security certificate for that session.
This combination of SSL encryption and digital certificates provides:
• Authentication: Assurance that the website you are using is owned by the legitimate entity.
• Message Privacy: Encryption protects the data exchanged between your device and our servers, making it unreadable to unauthorised parties.
• Message Integrity: Ensures that your information cannot be altered during transmission.
All data submitted through our main online forms is protected by SSL encryption.
For an additional layer of security, our online banking services require two-factor authentication (2FA) for certain transactions. This is achieved using an SMS One Time Password (OTP), which is sent to your registered mobile phone on request. The OTP must be entered during specific Online Banking tasks which are most likely to be targeted in the event of a password compromise. This extra layer of security ensures that only you can authorise sensitive actions, even if your password has been compromised.
To further enhance security, we implement geo-blocking on our online banking services. This feature restricts access to your account from specific countries or regions that are deemed high-risk. If you plan to access your account while travelling internationally, please contact us in advance to ensure uninterrupted access.
For added security, our online banking system automatically logs you out after 5 minutes of inactivity. This helps prevent unauthorised access if you leave your session unattended. We recommend that you always log out manually after completing your banking activities.
After incorrect attempts to enter your access code, access to your online banking will be locked to protect your account from unauthorised access.
If your account becomes locked, you will need to contact us to restore access. To avoid lockouts, we recommend choosing a password that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess. Please also remember that your access code is case-sensitive.
For your peace of mind, our online banking service displays the date and time of your last session, allowing you to monitor your account and detect any unusual activity.
At Horizon Bank, we take the protection of your personal and transaction data very seriously. However, online security is a shared responsibility between Horizon Bank, as the provider of online services, and you, the user. To ensure the highest level of protection, we encourage you to do the following:
While advanced technology helps to reduce fraud and security risks, it cannot fully protect against all online threats. Scams, including phishing and other fraudulent activities, are continuously evolving. It's essential to stay informed about potential risks and how to safeguard yourself.
Here are some steps to help you stay up to date:
Even with technological safeguards, your online security depends on how responsibly you manage your personal information. It is crucial that you follow best practices and comply with Horizon Bank's terms and conditions to protect your data.
To take proactive steps in securing your information:
3 small steps can help keep us all safe from scammers. Stop. Check. Protect.
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