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SECURITY POLICY
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| SECURITY INFORMATION
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With the advent of the Internet, online banking has become one of the most convenient ways to conduct your financial affairs. Therefore, the Sterling Family of Companies is committed to ensuring that your online banking experience is not only expedient, but also safe. It is for this reason that we have established this policy to inform you, our customers, on how to safely use our online services.
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| THE CUSTOMER’S ROLE
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Even the best security measures taken by Sterling cannot, by themselves, ensure the security of online banking. Indeed, there is a vital role for the customer to play in protecting his or her account(s). However, if by chance there is a breach in our Internet security system, Sterling has an
online assurance policy designed to put your mind at ease. The following are steps the customer can take to minimize, and virtually eliminate, tampering with online transactions:
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As with an ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN), do not reveal your password or PIN to anyone. When dealing with a customer, employees from Sterling will never ask for a customer password or PIN. As an added precaution, you should change your password regularly.
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If a prompt appears, asking if you would like your computer to store your user name and password, select “NO”.
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If you use a public computer, several additional steps are necessary:
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Do not leave the computer while logged onto the online banking service.
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Always remember to log off after a session. (If you do forget, Sterling’s server will automatically log you out after 10 minutes of inactivity.)
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Depending on where you use this computer, clearing the browser’s cache might be an advisable measure. (This is most necessary when there is unrestricted use of the computer, e.g. in a library or computer center.)
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Close your browser after logging off
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| BROWSER INFORMATION
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A browser is the software that allows you to view pages on the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, not all browsers are created equal. In fact, from an online banking perspective, some older versions can be dangerous! That is why we insist on Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 (or later) with 128-bit encryption or Netscape Navigator 4.06 (or later) with 128-bit encryption.
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One of the most important features of a browser is its encryption system. Encryption is essentially “high tech” scrambling. That is, your browser converts the information you are about to send into unreadable code, which can only be deciphered by our server. In this way, if a transmission were to be intercepted en route to its destination, the information they would see would be the encrypted code and therefore undecipherable.
There are two forms of encryption: 40-bit and 128-bit. The 128-bit is roughly 300 x 1024 times more secure than 40-bit. Due to federal regulations on trade policy and national security, the 128-bit is only widely available for domestic use (i.e. within the United States).
The distinction between these two types of encryption is essential, since 128-bit encryption is virtually impossible to “crack.” To find out what kind of encryption your browser uses, click here.
Regardless of what type of encryption your browser uses, if a site is not secure, neither are your transmissions. To ensure that a session is secure, look for the key icon (Netscape) or lock icon (Internet Explorer) displayed at the bottom of your browser’s window.
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| VIRUS PROTECTION
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Also recommended is a good virus detection program. Even though all information coming from our server has been thoroughly scanned for viruses, other sites do not necessarily perform this check. In order to protect the overall functionality of your computer, you might consider purchasing an anti-virus program from either McAfee or Symantec.
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| “COOKIES”
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A “cookie” is a small text file that our server places on your hard drive. The purpose of this file is to make your Internet banking experience flow more smoothly. This “cookie” can be read only by Sterling, and is used chiefly for administrative purposes. For example, a cookie might allow us to store your preferences, so that you do not have to re-enter this information. To clarify, if we did not use “cookies,” you would have to enter your password every time you viewed a different page on our site. Clearly, this would be quite burdensome and distracting.
To ensure security, cookies do not impart personal information to us, during or after a session. However, if the use of “cookies” makes you uneasy, it is possible to disable the feature on your browser, although this will (as mentioned previously) make the system harder to navigate.
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| E-MAIL POLICY
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Please take note of the following items regarding sending us e-mail and/or submitting online applications:
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We reserve the right to enter the information into our customer database. This information will not be disclosed (shared, sold, or divulged) to anyone without asking you—unless we are otherwise obligated by law to release it (refer to our Privacy Policy).
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We may contact you for additional information necessary to properly address any issues.
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Note that online applications are encrypted, whereas e-mails are generally not. Therefore, sensitive information (e.g. account numbers passwords, etc.) should not be sent via e-mail. In these instances you should call or use the post office.
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| DISCLAIMER
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Sterling’s Website contains links to other sites. We do not, in any way, endorse these sites; nor do we guarantee that the information contained therein is accurate and/or precise. Likewise, we make no assurances as to the security measures taken by these sites
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| LINKS:
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Online Banking Assurance
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Sterling wants to assure its customers that they never have to worry about the loss of funds resulting from using our online banking services. To that end, we guarantee that your assets will be protected.* This includes theft resulting from:
- Online theft of account information and/or password.
- Unauthorized removal of funds from your accounts.
*However, there are limitations to this guarantee. These limitations are in compliance with Regulation E promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board, and are subject to the limitations noted in our Sterling Internet Banking Agreement which was provided to our clients during the sign-up process.
If you do have any questions regarding account fraud, please contact us immediately at (212) 760-2031
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Clearing the Browser's Cache
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Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x or higher:
1. On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, click Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, click Delete Files under the Temporary Internet Files section.
Netscape Navigator 4.x or higher:
1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Click of the “+” next to “Advanced” in the left view box.
3. Cache will appear as a sub folder; click on it.
4. Click on Clear Memory Cache button. If prompted, click OK.
5. Click on Clear Disk Cache button. If prompted, click OK.
If your browser is not listed above, simply follow the Help instructions provided by your browser.
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Links to widely used anti-virus programs
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Link to our Privacy Policy
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