Here’s some tips to help you safeguard your banking and personal information.

Password Safety

Your Internet Banking is protected by a password you choose.

Tips to remember when creating your password:

• Never use personal information such as your first or last name, address or phone number
• Never use consecutive numbers (eg. 123456) or repeated characters
• Never use your date of birth or any other account holder's
• It must be at least eight characters long
• It must include a mix of both UPPERCASE and lowercase letters and at least 1 number and 1 special character (e.g. ! # $ *)
• Remember to keep your password safe. Do not write it down or disclose your password to anyone.
• MyState Bank staff members will never ask you to disclose your confidential passcode, password or phone banking access code over the phone, by email or in person. If someone contacts you asking for these details, do not provide them – they are very likely a scammer.
• Change your passwords at least every six months, or anytime you suspect your password has been compromised.

To change your password:

On the app - More > Profile and security > Change password

On Internet Banking - Manage > Profile and security

If you make three incorrect attempts to enter your username or password you’ll be temporarily locked out of online banking. You can try resetting your password after a period of time, but if you can’t wait, you can call our friendly customer care team for help on 138 001.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that double checks you are the person you’re claiming to be when you log into online accounts.

When you log into an online account with a username and password, you’re using one thing to verify who you are. This is called single factor authentication. With multi-factor authentication you are required to provide something additional which could be a unique code sent to your mobile device or a push notification to your mobile app.

How does it work?

When you try to make certain kinds of online banking transactions – for example, transferring funds to someone new – you will be asked to authenticate the transaction. This could be by entering a secure code sent as a text message to your mobile , action a push notification to your app or by using your biometric (FaceID or fingerprint).

By using this you reduce the risk of someone accessing your account and transferring money if they manage to log in.

Important: If you receive an SMS from us and you haven’t initiated an action or if it looks suspicious, contact us immediately on 138 001.

Protect your computer

While browsing the internet on your computer, it’s important to protect yourself from viruses and other malicious attacks.

Your best defence against viruses, worms and trojans is to install antivirus software and ensure you keep it up-to-date.

Antivirus programs are easy to install and can be purchased online and downloaded straight to your computer or mobile device. Consult your local seller for help if you're unsure of a good antivirus software package to use and follow these five steps:

1. Once installed, turn on automatic updates to maximise your computers protection against new viruses.
2. Scan all the files on your computer periodically including incoming and outgoing emails.
3. Allow a regular scan of your computer or mobile device using antivirus and anti-spyware software. Follow the instructions from your software provider to do this.
4. Consider using a SPAM filtering product which will help block fake or virus-related emails.
5. Make sure your computer’s operating system is up to date by ensuring automatic updates are switched on and any updates are installed when they become available.

Types of security threats