Antivirus Software is used to protect your computer from harmful malicious software like viruses, Trojan horses, worms etc. Select Anti-virus software, which is capable of scanning both files and email messages. Always update the anti-virus to the latest signature release from the vendor. The Automatic Live Update option available in most anti-virus software can be used for the same.

Virus: It is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. A "virus" is specifically designed for destruction and damage. It has capability to replicate itself and spread very fast on the Internet or intranet.

Trojan Horse: A "trojan horse" is a program that contains hidden functions that exploit the privileges of the user program on your computer. A "Trojan horse" can do anything that the user executing the trojan has the privileges to do. This includes deleting files, transmitting files to the intruder, changing files, installing other programs that provide unauthorized network access, gaining root privileges, installing viruses or installing other "trojan horse" programs.

Worm: A "worm" is a self-replicating computer program, similar to a virus. A virus attaches itself to, and becomes part of, another executable program. However, a "worm" is self-contained and does not need to be part of another program to propagate itself.

Personal Firewalls guard your computer from any unwanted and unauthorized activities initiated from entering or leaving your computer. It logs all the intrusion attempts and generates alerts for the same. Most operating systems have in-built personal firewall options available which should be activated unless and until you are using a third party personal firewall.

Anti-spyware programs protect you from malicious code called "spyware". A "spyware" is like a mole, it disguises itself as a legitimate application or secretly resides as one or more data link library (DLL) file. It collects information about you, like you're online banking account details and pass on to its controller machine somewhere on the Internet. Many such companies use "spyware" to monitor and learn about your browsing behavior and your online preferences to target advertisements to your computer as pop-up ads. Anti-spyware programs can detect and remove such spyware and block the installation of the same.

Security patches for operating systems and for other software like browsers should be applied as soon as these are available from the vendor. The automatic update feature available from many software vendors can be used to keep your system patched from latest known security bugs.

NetB@nk Users Security Tips

• Avoid using a Public Internet facility like Cyber Cafes to access your NetB@nk account.
• Keep track of your transactions. Review your credit card, and bank statements as soon as you receive them to make sure that you are being charged only for transactions you have made. Immediately inform us about any irregularities.
• Check the last login date and time displayed on your NetB@nk welcome page.
• Subscribe to NBO SMS alert service to keep yourself updated with all your major account transactions.
• Email sent from NBO to its net banking customers always greets its customers with their nickname as provided by them in the NetB@nk subscription form.
• NBO never requests for secret PIN codes or Passwords through any channels including Internet. Never reply to any email or website pop-ups requesting for the same for any reason.
• Always change your password periodically (NetB@nk forces you to change after 90 logons).
• Always choose a unique and strong password. Some guidelines to choose a strong password are:
  • Include letters, numbers and special character like $, #, %, etc. in the password.
  • Password should be at least eight characters long.
  • Do not use very obvious words, like your name or family member name, etc., any thing that is easy to guess.
  • Avoid words that can be found in a dictionary (including foreign and technical dictionaries).
  • One of the ways to compose and remember complex passwords is to pick the first letter from each word of some easy to remember phrase. For example, the phrase National Bank of Oman is a great place to work, best paymaster and comfortable. Would produce a password NBOgpwb$^&c.