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Internet Security | For your computer | 

For transactions – For access – For your computer

Updating your internet browser

In order to manage your accounts on line and enjoy all that Group Financial’s website has to offer, we recommend that you use the latest versions of the following browsers:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer

  • Mozilla Firefox

Update them regularly to avoid any potential security risks.

Temporary internet files

So as to speed up future use of already visited pages, your computer saves the visited internet pages in a file on the hard drive.

  • If you have no confidentiality problems for your computer, then you will have faster access to secure pages by authorising the encrypted pages to be saved onto the hard drive.

  • If you prefer, however, to ensure strict data confidentiality, disallow the secure pages from being saved or erase the temporary internet files after each use.



For "Internet Explorer" browsers:

  • to disallow saving of secure pages :

click on the "Tools" menu -> "Internet options" -> "Advanced" tab, and then in the "Security" section, select the option "Do not save encrypted pages to disk";

  • to automatically delete temporary internet files each time you close your browser :

click on the "Tools" menu -> "Internet options" -> "Advanced" tab, and then in the "Security" section, select the option "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed"; remember to close your browser after each connection;

  • to erase temporary internet files manually:

click on the "Tools" menu -> "Internet options" -> "General" tab, and then in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, click on the button "Delete Files…";

Fraudulent sites and e-mails

Webpage spoofing (usurping a page): webpage spoofing is when a legitimate site is replaced by a pirate version of that same site, be it transparent or not. The webpage visitor is tricked into logging in without realising that the page is not the correct one.


Phishing: This is when a bogus e-mail, which looks genuine, is sent out en masse, using the identity of a financial institution (usually), in which the recipient is requested, under various pretexts, to update their personal details or bank details by clicking on a link that takes the unwitting user to a false web site, which looks and feels like the original, or which may have a very similar URL (example: www.finacial-bank.com, www.financal-bank.com, etc), where the pirate then harvests the data entered so as to fraudulently access the victim’s funds.


Pharming : variation of phishing, the principle is to redirect a website’s users to a fake site, again with aim of intercepting confidential information.

Keylogger: a keylogger (or keystroke logger) is a tool that can capture the user’s keyboard strokes. (example: recovering data entered to access a site)



To protect yourself against such attacks, a few simple reflexes are essential:

  • question the relevance of receiving the message.

  • question the legitimacy of the action requested.

  • check the issuer’s URL (look for minor differences as compared with the official site).

  • use the URL saved in your list of Favourites or retype the URL yourself.

  • be wary of website addresses containing “@”.

Viruses and Trojan horses 

Virus: a malicious programme or code usually in the format of a commonly used file and saved in the operating system without the user’s knowledge. The code may be capable of self-activating at a given point in time or triggered when a certain programme is launched. The aim: to render the system unusable by destroying certain vital files or by saturating the machine’s capacities.

Trojan horse: Programme which, slipped unnoticed into a sequence of normal instructions, takes on the appearance of a legitimate programme. But it in fact contains a hidden, illicit function, which means that the computer’s security system mechanisms can be bypassed. The files can then be penetrated by hacking, and can be read, modified or destroyed.

The only way to ensure protection is to install an effective anti-virus; in other words, an anti-virus that is regularly updated.

As a general rule, whenever an e-mail looks suspicious or unexpected (coming from, say, a sender to whom you have never given your e-mail address), do not open it. Neither should you open or download e-mail attachments unless you know what they contain, even if the sender is known to you: the virus may be in fact spreading without the sender’s knowledge.

What is spyware?

The general term “spyware” refers to software that performs certain undesirable tasks, such as: flashing advertisements on your screen, collecting personal data or altering your computer’s configuration without your prior consent.

Spyware is usually associated with software that displays advertising (known as “adware”) or software that records your personal information or sensitive data.

This is not to say that all software that generates advertising or monitors your on-line activities is malevolent. For example, you may subscribe to a free music service, but “pay” for the service by accepting to receive targeted advertising. If you read and accept the terms and conditions of that service, then this may be considered a fair agreement. You may also agree for the company to monitor your activities on-line so that the advertising sent to you can be more finely tailored.

Other, non-desirable kinds of software undertake modifications on your computer that could prove bothersome and slow down your computer or lead to repeated crashes. These programmes are able to alter the home page or search page of your browser, or add unwanted or unnecessary extra components to your browser. These programmes are also difficult to modify to get back to the default setting. Such undesirable programmes are often known as “spyware”.

The most important thing in any of the above cases is to know whether you (or the person using your computer) understand what the programme is going to do or not and whether or not you agree to have it installed in your computer.

There are many ways in which spyware or other undesirable software may enter into your system. One of the most frequent ways used is to take advantage of the installation of other programmes, such as music or video file-sharing programmes, to simultaneously install the undesirable programme. Every time you install a programme in your computer, read the information carefully, including the licence agreement and the confidentiality clause. Sometimes, the inclusion of undesirable software in the installation of a given programme is indeed documented, but only at the very end of the licence agreement or confidentiality clause.

Getting rid of spyware

Most undesirable programmes (such as spyware) are designed to be difficult to remove. If you try to uninstall this software the same way that you would for any other programme, the chances are that it will reappear regardless when you next boot up your computer. If you are unable to uninstall undesirable software, you may be able to download a tool that will enable you to do it. There are many computer companies offering free or inexpensive items of software designed to search for undesirable spyware hidden in your computer and help you remove it.



Some internet service providers (ISPs) include an anti-spyware programme in their service. Check to see whether your internet service provider offers this kind of programme or ask for a recommendation about finding one. If your internet service provider does not have a removal tool for spyware or other undesirable programmes, ask your friends to recommend one or consult the list below to see the most-commonly used tools. Remember that by removing unwanted programmes with the help of these tools, you will also delete the free programme to which it is connected.