Security Tips

Important Notice!  You should never send personal identification numbers or confidential information in response to unsolicited email.  Protect yourself from “phishing” and email scams. Click here for more.

When you connect to the Internet, the Internet also connects back to you. Even before you connect to the Bank's web site, someone out there could potentially get access to your computer. Also, as you surf the 'Net, there is a trail of information left behind.

We want to tell you what we do for our mutual security. We have developed useful checklists for safe Online Banking with BMO Financial Group.

What We Do - security measures on our side, so you can bank online with confidence.

• use strong encryption technology to help ensure that data passing between your PC and our web server is secure, therefore you must have a browser that supports this level of encryption (in technical jargon: 128 bit encryption)
• use digital certificates issued by trusted third party companies to let you know that our site is secure and genuine
• log you out after 10 minutes of inactivity
• use smart and powerful firewalls, to protect your account information
• never send you messages asking you to provide us with personal or account information via email. Please keep in mind that email messages are insecure and not encrypted
• Important Note: If you use Interac®* Email Money Transfer, you will be asked to click on a link which will redirect you to a secure gateway. Please check the web site address or location (the URL)

What You Can Do - security measures you can take to protect your confidential information when you use the internet.

1. For Online Banking Security

DO

• always verify the Bank's web site name ("www.bmo.com") in the "Address" (Internet Explorer) or "Location" (Netscape) place at the top of the top of the browser
• sign-in to Online Banking and select the "Contact us" option at the top of the page if you require to send us confidential or personal information
• keep your debit and credit cards and passwords/PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) safe. Do not divulge your passwords/PINs to anyone
• change your passwords regularly. Learn additional guidelines on how to choose a good password
• always log off once you are done with "Online Banking". Any "Online Banking" session left idle for more than 10 minutes will time-out, and any unfinished transactions will not go through
• once logged off, delete all traces of your "Online Banking" session from the memory of your computer. Learn more about how to clear your cache
• make sure nobody watches you if you are using "Online Banking"
• all of the above points are even more important if you use a computer in a public place - such as public libraries, internet cafes

DON'T

• use software that "memorizes" passwords. Yes, we know, it's convenient, however, somebody else might be able to use them too
• leave your computer while logged into "Online Banking"
• send confidential or personal information through email as it is NOT a secure method of contact

2. For General Computer Security

DO

• use an up-to-date antivirus software. Nowadays, antivirus updates come out at least once a week
• consider using a personal firewall. A software-based firewall is suitable for personal use, and there are some free ones too! You can also use a hardware-based firewall, more expensive, but more versatile. Learn more about personal firewalls
• protect your computer, especially if you are using a cable modem or DSL connection by disabling file sharing in Windows products
• update the operating system and the browser with security patches on a regular basis. Check at least once a week the web sites for Microsoft's Windows O/S and Internet Explorer and Netscape for recently published security patches
• make sure you back up your data regularly
• In order that your home network remains private and secure, please ensure you have changed the default password associated with your router. Additionally, if you use a wireless router, please ensure you have enabled the appropriate encryption and security options. For assistance with these matters, please consult the documentation provided by your router's manufacturer, or visit the manufacturer's website.

DON'T

• send any confidential information (including SIN, account numbers, passwords, PINs) via regular email. Use only the secure email service available within the "Online Banking" session to communicate confidentially with us
• ever accept files or attachments when accessing websites, newsgroups or chat rooms, unless you are very sure of their authenticity

3. For General Banking Security

DO

• report stolen/lost cheques, credit and debit cards immediately
• review your monthly financial statements and report any discrepancies and/or unusual account activity
• sign your debit/credit card as soon as you receive it

DON'T

• never send us information regarding your accounts numbers, credit card numbers and/or PINs and passwords via email. Remember: emails are not encrypted