Phishing is the malicious attempt of fraudsters to intercept personal data such as internet banking credentials, PIN numbers for credit/ debit cards, passport numbers, ID numbers, VAT numbers, etc

Phishers send massively e-mails to random e-mail accounts of unsuspected receivers, and either

• by tempting them

or

• by trying to persuade them that it is necessary,

they ask them to click on a link that exists in the body of the e-mail.

This link leads to sites created by the phishers that look like the official Banks’ sites, in order to mislead the users in typing their personal data.

You can protect yourselves from Phishing by:

• avoiding to open e-mails from unknown senders
• not giving your credentials and your personal data to sites of organizations of which you have no knowledge

The term “Malware” (malicious software) stands for the programs that can be installed in your computer or your mobile phone without you realizing it, in order to intercept sensitive information and perform non authorized actions, or, generally, to take control of your device without your knowledge.

Malware that aims to intercept data constantly monitors the sites you visit and if it detects that these sites concern a certain Bank, it secretly starts to record in a local file anything you type (Username, Passwords etc). If needed, it can also save a snapshot/ image of the site. Afterwards, Malware automatically sends all the recorded data (usually as attachment of an e-mail) to its creator. The sent data may be either used directly by the creator of the Malware or sold to a third party.

The most common tactics for installing the Malware are the following:

• as attached files at e-mails - fraudster send e-mails that try to trick you to follow a site by downloading a piece of software or to open an attachment that subsequently installs a Trojan.
• as free software (e.g. games movies, music)

• avoiding opening e-mails form senders unknown to you
• being very careful where you download files from
• installing special programs for protecting your devices (anti-virus. anti-spyware etc) and updating them regularly
• regularly upgrading your programs (operating systems, browsers etc) to their last edition

Vishing (VoicePhising) aims to intercept your personal data just like phishing, but is accomplished via VoIP (Voiceover IP), landline phone or mobile phone.

The prospective victim receives a message (usually recorded) about suspicious activity that has been detected at an account or credit card of his/hers. The victim is asked to call a certain number and enter personal data in order to “confirm” or “reject” the suspicious transaction.

You may protect yourselves from Vishing by not responding to such requests, given the fact that the Bank will never address requests of this kind to you. Furthermore, you should contact the Bank by calling at the appointed phone numbers (182838 or 210 3288000).

​A phishing attempt sent via SMS (Short Message Service) or text message to a mobile phone or device. This tactic is also referred to as smishing, which is a combination of SMS and phishing. The purpose of text message phishing is the same as traditional email phishing: convince recipients to share their confidential information.

The access to the Bank’s systems is monitored by special programs (firewalls), which allow the use of specific services by the clients/ visitors, while forbidding the access to systems and data bases with confidential data and information of the Bank.

Data encryption

From the beginning until the end of a winbank session, all your information and personal data are encrypted based on the encryption protocol SSL-128-bit (SecureSocketsLayer).

Fraud Detection

The Bank has installed fraud prevention and detection systems for the prompt detection of unusual and suspicious transactions.
If such a transaction is detected, the Bank contacts you before executing it.

If during a winbank session the system recognizes that no action has been made within 10 minutes, it automatically logs you out for your own safety.

extraPIN code

extraPIN is a code that:

• you receive via push notification at the mobile phone that you have activate winbank app
or
•  you receive via SMS at the mobile number that you have set at your winbank registration

This specific code is necessary for the execution of your transactions via winbank.
If you wish, you may ask for extraPIN use to be necessary for logging in to winbank internet.

Password deactivation

In case you insert wrongly the Password three times, then, for your own safety, it is automatically locked and your access to winbank is prohibited.

Regular change of Password

For your better protection, you must change Password regularly, no later than 3 months. Your new Password should not be the same as one you recently used for winbank.

Product Exception

Through winbank you have the option to choose the products that you do not wish to access via winbank channels (web, mobile and phone).​

Security notifications & alerts

winbank notifies you automatically and for free through special security alerts sent by push notifications at the mobile phone that you have activate winbank app or send by SMS to your extraPIN mobile number, for all monetary transactions involving transfers to third parties within the bank and foreign remittances, regardless of your subscription to the winbank alerts service.

By subscribing to the winbank alerts service you also ensure:

• immediate notifications for all your account and card transactions
• notifications every time your credit card statement is issued
• notification on the eve of a scheduled payment, in case of insufficient available balance in your account or excess of the payment amount you have set for your direct debits
• notifications for successful and unsuccessful execution of a scheduled payment
• daily valuation of your stocks portfolio
• real time updates about your buy and sell stock exchange orders

Before entering sensitive data to a site check whether it uses encryption. Evidence that the site is encrypted are:

• Https (“s” stands for “secure”) at the beginning of the site
• Lock icon next to the site’s address or at the bottom right corner of the window- depending on your browser
• The green color and the bar of addresses (which means that the certification required for the encryption of the data is valid)

You may also check the certification of the site by clicking on the lock icon. At the window that opens, you can see if the certificate is valid and who is the owner of the site (e.g. winbank).

Password is the first line of defense against online attacks. For this reason, it is very important to choose strong passwords and change them regularly. When setting a password it is useful to keep in mind the following:

• Use different passwords for all your important accounts
• Use passwords with many characters
• Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols for your password, not every day words. Do not use a sequence of same characters (e.g. b2222222) or characters with a logic sequence (e.g. 12345, abcde).
• Use a phrase that only you know. Do not use data such as your birthday, your ID or VAT number, or passwords based on your name (e.g. spiros123).
• Do not save or write down your passwords in any case
• Your password is personal, so do not share it with anybody, not even with Bank staff. In case you suspect that your password has leaked in any way, immediately contact the Bank.

• Do not open e-mails from senders unknown to you
• Avoid downloading files (games, music, videos, free programs etc) from untrustworthy sites
• Install special protection programs on your devices (anti-virus. anti-spyware etc), which you should regularly update to their last version.
• Do not use computers and mobile devices that do not belong to you and are not trustworthy. Avoid using computers that are placed in public places such as Internet Cafés, hotels, convention areas etc. 
• Avoid using untrustworthy Wi-Fi to access winbank even if it’s provided for free.
• If you detect “strange” function of your computer -very probably caused due to installation of malicious programs-, use the protection program of your computer and/or contact a specialist.
• Avoid using pirate software either for operating systems or for any other function.
• Do not intervene in the software of your mobile devices (jailbreak, rooting etc).