security
start safe - stay safe
Icesave is a safe and convenient way to manage your finances online. We take every step we can to protect your money but it is important that you also take precautions to safeguard your account.
To find out more simply click on the links below:
What You Should Do
Frequently Asked Questions About Security
What We Provide
recommended reading
For more information on banking safely online we recommend you visit http://www.banksafeonline.org.uk
The Government and Leading Businesses Initiative http://www.getsafeonline.org provides valuable on-line safety advice and information. As well as general guidance it provides helpful explanations of many frequently mentioned security technologies (e.g. firewall and anti-virus software) and lists specific software products that you should consider.
latest news
Security Warning: don't get caught out by fake e-mails
A number of fraudulent e-mails, purporting to be from financial institutions, have been sent to Internet banking customers, in an attempt to trick them into logging on to a fake web site, and so into revealing security information, e.g. Password details.
To date no such e-mails have been reported to have been received by Icesave customers.
We will never send e-mail requests asking customers to divulge their personal security details.
Please be on the look out for such fraudulent e-mails and contact us immediately on 0845 605 6050 (Textphone 0845 605 8090) if you receive any appearing to have been sent by Icesave, but requesting you to provide security information.
what you should do
We take the security of your account very seriously and we use the latest technology to safe guard your account. However we do not have any direct control over your own computer system and the environment in which you access our services. There are a number of simple precautions that you should also take to minimise the risk of unauthorised access to your account and personal information.
Please note that Icesave cannot be held liable for unauthorised use of your User ID/Password information, so it is important that you take precautions to ensure that this information is known only to you.
Your Personal Details
Change Your Password Immediately After You Receive It
Protect Your Security Details
Contact Us Immediately If You Suspect Your Security Information Is Known To Someone Else
Using Your Account
Be Aware Of Security Issues When Accessing Your Account
Check The Date And Time Of Your Last Visit
Your Computer
Install Anti-Virus Software
Install Personal Firewall Software
Change Your Password Immediately After You Receive It
As part of your application you will be asked to provide a password to use when you first log on to your account. This is a temporary password and the system will require you to change this once you have logged on.
You can change your password again any time you wish, by selecting the Maintenance option from the Menu Bar and then choosing the 'Amend Password' option. You will be asked to enter and confirm your new password.
You should always use a strong password - one that is difficult for someone else to discover (not a name, not a dictionary word or combination of words).
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Protect Your Security Details
- Whenever you operate your account online, you are required to enter your User ID and password. This process is necessary for security reasons, so that the system can establish your identity:
- It is important that you memorise the information and destroy your original notification. Do not divulge this or other information which is used to identify you, such as a password or memorable data, to anyone else under any circumstances.
- Do not retain your password or memorable data in written format, and do not store this information on your computer. If you need to keep a record of this information, it is important that, if discovered by anyone, it is in a format that is only recognisable to you, and that the information is stored in a secure place.
- Do not forward your security details to us, or anyone else, via e-mail. E-mail is not a secure method of data transmission, unless it is encrypted.
- Change your password IMMEDIATELY if you suspect that it is known by someone else.
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Contact Us Immediately If You Suspect Your Security Information Is Known To Someone Else
If you lose your User ID or Password, or suspect that the information has been discovered by someone else, please contact us on 0845 605 6050 (Textphone 0845 605 8090) . Once we have established your identity, you will be issued with a new unique User ID and password. These will be sent to you under separate cover, by post.
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Be Aware Of Security Issues When Accessing Your Account
- Take care to ensure that nobody observes you when you are using your security details to log in to your account, especially if you are accessing your account in a public area.
- Do not leave your PC unattended when you are logged on to your account.
- Ensure that you log off correctly when you are finished.
- Close your browser after logging off. This is particularly important if you are accessing your account from a shared environment, e.g. Internet cafes.
Check The Date And Time Of Your Last Visit
Whenever you log on to your account, the date and time of your last visit is displayed on screen, for your added protection.
Contact us immediately if you think your account has been accessed by anyone other than yourself.
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Install Anti-Virus Software
Use anti-virus software on your PC and keep it updated to minimise the risk of infection by new viruses. Contact your local computer retailer for advice on anti-virus software,
Remember that new viruses appear daily - Ensure that you use software which is routinely updated, e.g. receives updates every time you access the Internet.
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Install A Personal Firewall
A personal firewall acts like a security guard, checking all data sent to or being sent from your computer. It is the first line of defence protecting your computer from internet 'hackers'. It will only permit access (in or out) to those who you have authorised. It will block anyone who it thinks should not be permitted, and will usually advise you that it is doing so, giving you the opportunity to permit access on a one off, or permanent basis.
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frequently asked questions about security
Unprotected home computers are a potential target for intruders, looking for credit card numbers, bank account information, and anything else they can find. An unprotected computer can even be used by an intruder to attack other computers.
If you require further information please see the 'Frequently asked questions' below, which will hopefully answer any potential query that you have.
The external web sites http://www.getsafeonline.org and http://www.banksafeonline.org.uk are just two of many helpful resources on the subject of safely using the internet and we recommend you refer to them for more information on the subject.
If you still require assistance please feel free to contact us for further advice.
How secure is the operating environment?
How do I choose Browser Software works with the Icesave Web site?
Why do I need my User ID and password?
What happens if I lose my User ID/password?
Can I change my User Id and password?
How can I protect my account and personal information?
What is a strong password?
What is a computer virus and what is Antivirus software?
What is a personal firewall?
What is encryption?
How secure is the operating environment?
Icesave provides a safe and secure environment in which to operate your Icesave Savings account. The latest technology, using full 128 bit encryption has been used to ensure online security. However, it is important that the browser software you use supports 128 bit encryption. Older versions of browsers may not offer this support.
For security reasons, each account holder will be provided with a unique User ID and password, and will be required to input this information each time the account is accessed. It is therefore essential that this information is not divulged to anyone else, under any circumstances. Please note that ICESAVE cannot be held liable for unauthorised use of your User ID or password information. In order to prevent the unauthorised use of your account, you are advised to follow the guidelines on this web site in the section 'What You Should Do'.
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How do I choose Browser Software works with the Icesave Web site?
The web browser you use must work with 128 bit encryption, commonly available products are:
- Internet Explorer from version 5.5 onwards
- Mozilla Firefox versions 1.0 onwards (available for PC and MAC)
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Why do I need my User ID and password?
Your User ID and password enable the system to establish your identity, so that it knows it is dealing with you and nobody else. It is therefore essential that this information is not divulged to anyone else, under any circumstances.
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What happens if I lose my User ID or password?
If you suspect that your User ID or password have been discovered by someone else, please contact us on 0845 605 6050 (Textphone 0845 605 8090) (8am - 8pm Monday-Thursday, 8am - 6.30pm Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday). Once we have established your identity, you will be issued with a new unique User ID and password, which will be sent you under separate cover by post).
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Can I change my User ID and password?
When you open an account, you are automatically assigned a unique User ID. For security reasons you are not permitted to change your User ID at any time. As a result, it is important to ensure that you memorise your ID once you receive it.
As part of your application you will be asked to provide a password to use when you first log on to your account. This is a temporary password and the system will require you to change this once you have logged on. You can change your password at any time, by selecting the 'Maintenance' option from the Menu Bar, and then choose the 'Amend Password' option. You will be asked to enter and confirm your new password.
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How can I protect my account and personal information?
Whilst you are logged on to your account, all communications to and from our site are encrypted for your security. For extra security, and peace of mind, we recommend that you the guidelines on this web site in the section 'What You Should Do'.
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This is a password that is hard for anyone to discover either by guessing or possibly using a computer to quickly try lots of common combinations.
- Not based on a name or any dictionary word or combination of words
- A random looking mixture of letters and numbers
- Not a short password (8 or more letter and numbers)
What is a computer virus and what is Antivirus software?
A computer virus is computer program written with malicious intent which can do damage to the data and software on your computer. The other key characteristic of a virus is that it can make lots of copies of itself on your computer and spread to other computers.
A Computer Virus, and other types of malicious software ('mal-ware'), have a tell-tale 'fingerprint' that can be detected on your computer. Antivirus software looks at the contents of each file on tour computer, searching for traces of malicious software. The software will check any files that you receive, or access. For each file that matches a known fingerprint, the anti-virus program typically provides several options on how to respond, such as removing the offending patterns or destroying the file. New virus software is emerging all the time and so Anti-virus software needs to be constantly updated.
Refer to http://www.getsafeonline.org or your local PC dealer for specific product advice.
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What is a personal firewall?
When you connect a computer to the internet then you are making it possible for your computer to send and receive information to / from potentially any other computer connected to the internet. The flip side of that is that any other computer on the internet can exchange information with yours.
Personal firewall software protects your computer and only permits access to your computer (in or out) from the internet to those who you have authorised.
Such firewalls usually work with simple rules and will use them to block anyone who it thinks should not be permitted, at the same time it will usually advise you that it is doing so (giving you the opportunity to permit access on a one off, or permanent basis).
Personal firewalls are often purchased as part of a software security package, or you can download free software.
Refer to http://www.getsafeonline.org or your local PC dealer for specific product advice.
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What is encryption?
Encryption is the process of scrambling of information that is sent between, in this case, two computers so that only the intended recipient can unscramble it. Encryption methods used on computers make use of a shared 'key' - a long random number - that only they both know in order to scramble and unscramble (encrypt & decrypt) the information. The information is meaningless if it is intercepted by someone who doesn't have the key to unscramble it.
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Contact us immediately if you think your account has been accessed by anyone other than yourself.
what we provide
We take the security of your account very seriously. Our systems are designed to be simple and safe to use and we make use of the latest technology to provide a secure environment in which to operate your online savings account.
Secure log in facility
Last login date and time
System Time-Out
Online Certificates
Encryption Technology
Firewall Protection
Telephone Help
Secure Log In Facility
Your account can only be accessed by entering your unique User ID and password. Additional secret data e.g. a PIN or personal memorable data, may also be required for some services. Without knowing these no-one can access your account.
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Last Login Date And Time
Whenever you log in to your account, the date and time that you last logged in is displayed for your protection.
Contact us immediately if you think your account has been accessed by anyone other than yourself.
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System Time-Out
If you log into our system but leave your screen inactive for more than five minutes, you will be automatically logged out. Whilst you should always log off, whenever you leave your computer, this automatic time-out provides some additional protection.
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Online Certificates
We use online digital security certificates (issued by VeriSign) so that you can verify that our web site is genuine. Double-Clicking on the gold padlock at the bottom of the web browser allows you to view our certificate.
If a warning message is displayed, you should not enter the site.
You should be aware however that due to browser software faults, error messages are occasionally displayed in error. Such errors occur with older versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
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Encryption Technology
When you use our web site all information passing between you and us is scrambled, and so cannot be read or understood by anyone else en route through the internet. This uses the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol with 128-bit encryption, the latest encryption technology.
You should also see a padlock symbol or key appear in the bottom of your web browser, which indicates that the encryption is in use and so session is secure.
It is important that the browser software you use supports 128-bit encryption that is used by us. Older versions of browsers may not offer this support.
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Firewall protection
We use industry strength firewalls to restrict access to our systems, and routine monitoring is performed, to protect your information from unauthorised access.
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Telephone help
Contact us immediately if you think your account has been accessed by anyone other than yourself
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