Consumer Alert
Open SSL "Heart Bleed" Security Vulnerability
Many of you have heard about a vulnerability called "Heart Bleed" that affects the open-source encryption standard used by many websites in transmitting secure data. United State Bank wants to assure you that our website and online banking products are safe and secure, and not affected by this security vulnerability. Please feel free to contact the bank at 573-215-2283 should you have any questions.
Banking Security Practices
At United State Bank, we take the security of your account(s) very seriously.
Protecting your privacy and customer information is important to United State Bank and to our employees. We guard against unauthorized access to customer information and we are committed to taking the appropriate action to protect against fraud.
As a general business practice we would not ask for sensitive personal information by unsolicited email, unsolicited phone calls or text messages. If you have any questions or concerns about any unsolicited email, unsolicited phone calls or text messages that you receive, please call 573-215-2283 during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
What We Do to Protect Your Information
United State Bank applications, third-party vendors and customer portals utilize the following technologies:
- 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, which encrypts the transmission of your data to our site and/or to our third party vendors’ sites.
- Multiple network and application firewalls, intrusion prevention\detection systems, and 24/7 monitored and audited network traffic that protect our systems from unauthorized access.
Online/Internet Banking incorporates the following security practices:
- Unique Customer ID and Password, which is known only to you.
- Security questions for additional identify protection.
- 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, which encrypts the transmission of your data to our site.
- Multiple network and application firewalls that protect our systems from unauthorized access.
- Time-out feature, which automatically logs you out of our system after a period of inactivity.
- Secure email portal inside our Online Banking system, should you need to communicate with us regarding your account.
- You can learn more about our Online Banking security measures by clicking here.
Enhance the Security of Your Account
You can also take steps to enhance the security of your account information:
- Use email inside Online Banking or use our Secure Email Portal to send emails that contain your account information to us.
- Change your password periodically and always be sure to choose a password that's difficult to guess.
- Install anti-virus, anti-spyware and personal firewall software on your computer and mobile device.
- Use a dedicated computer, separate from email, gaming and general web browsing, for completing online financial transactions.
- Password-protect your mobile device and always keep it in a safe place.
Your Responsibility
You are responsible for keeping your information confidential. This includes your:
- Customer ID
- Password
- Security question and answers
- Account number
- Personal information and account data
You are also responsible for informing us immediately if you believe there has been an unauthorized transaction in your account or you believe the security of your password has been compromised.To report any such activity, call us at 573-215-2283.
United State Bank takes many measures to protect your personal information, including the introduction of the Secure Email Portal. This method of email communication is a service for our customers to communicate with bank staff in an environment that eliminates the need for the message to travel over the Internet and eliminates your dependence on the security practices of a third party website provider. We provide a similar environment to emails send through Online Banking.
Identity Theft and Types of Fraud
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission with intent to commit fraud. Many people are falling victim to a new breed of criminal known as "identity thieves." These are crooks who operate in both the physical and virtual worlds, searching for opportunities to steal valuable pieces of personal information that belong to someone else.
Scam Alerts, Identity Theft, Fraud, and Other Privacy Issues:
- There is frequent news about various attempts at online theft, from emails and phone calls trying to trick you into releasing personal information or user names and passwords, to viruses (malware) that capture key strokes.
- Email attachments and fraudulent websites can download viruses, so be cautious about the email you open and the sites you visit. Please note that United State bank will not ask for user names or passwords, so be especially cautious if you receive such a request on our behalf.
- To protect your privacy and your financial information, it is important that you always download the latest browser versions and install - and update - anti virus software on your personal and business computers. Older browser versions cannot protect against new intrusions, nor can outdated anti virus software or no virus protection at all.
- While there are layers of protection put in place by financial institutions, including firewalls and data encryption, they cannot fully protect the account if a hacker has fraudulently obtained your user name and password. United State Bank's systems are secure and tested on a regular basis against intrusion.
- What can you do? Keep your browsers and anti virus software up-to-date and check your accounts online on a daily basis.