Online security advice
Make sure that your computer has the most up to date anti-virus software When a computer virus gets into your computer, it can cause chaos by destroying all of your computer files. It can also allow the people behind the virus to get hold of your personal details. Provident strongly recommend that you install both anti-virus and a firewall software onto your computer so that you are protected whenever you access the internet. Without this kind of software, everytime that you access the internet you are putting your computer at risk.
If you have this software installed already then you need to make sure that you are updating it regularly, there will usually be a pop up from your security software provider when you need to do this. This will ensure that your computer is running efficiently as well as protecting you against the lastest viruses.
How will I know if my computer already has a virus?
If your computer is experiencing any of the following then it may have a virus;
- It runs slower than normal
- It restarts by itself
- It crashes frequently
- Error messages appear for no reason
- You are unable to print from your computer
- You can't use the disk drives on your computer
- It stops responding to commands
- Applications already installed on your computer stop running correctly
If your computer already has a virus then you can buy some software that will get rid of all the viruses on it. However, it is always best to install anti-virus software so that your computer is protected against viruses before they have a chance to get on to your computer.
Email
It is becoming more popular for frausters to target their victims using email. The emails could be about a whole host of things from a 'friend' needing you to send them money urgently to informing you that you have won a foreign lottery. These emails contain links that, when clicked on, spread viruses onto your computer allowing the fraudsters to get hold of your personal details and giving them control of your computer. If you do not know the source of an email or do not recognise the sender, then delete it immediately without opening any attachments.
Provident may send you emails from time to time for marketing purposes.
However, we will never:
- Ask you to send us any of your personal details in an email, the only time we take your details is when you fill in our online application form. If there is any additional information that we need, or any details that we would like you to confirm then it will be your Agent who discusses it with you.
- Ask for you to send us your bank details, our loans are delivered to your home and your weekly repayments are collected by your Agent. Therefore, we have no need to know any of your bank details.
- Ask you to give us a deposit before you receive your loan. If you receive any suspicious emails like this then call us on 1800 481 002 and let us know.
‘Phishing’
'Phising' is the name used to describe the process of someone fradulently trying to aquire personal information from you such as passwords, account numbers and usernames. This can be done in a number of ways including bogus emails and websites posing as companys that you trust.
The fraudster can then use the information they obtain to access your bank account to withdraw money and to steal your identity. It is essential that you do not reply to any of these emails with your personal information. Just think, if something is that important would your bank really email you about it?
We must emphasise that Provident will never email you and ask you to send us any of your personal details.
