Get password smart!

4 March 2019

Protect access to your banking by using strong, unique and secure passwords.

That’s the New Zealand Bankers’ Association’s message in support of CERT NZ’s Get Password Smart campaign that kicks off today.

“We all have a role to play in preventing financial crime by protecting unauthorised access to our bank accounts. Being smart about your online banking password is an important way you can do that,” says New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont.

Three easy ways to be password smart and foil the fraudsters are to:
• Create strong passwords
• Use unique passwords, and
• Keep your passwords secret.

“Long passwords are strong passwords. Use four or more words to make up your passwords. Use a sentence or fun phrase that’s unique to you. You can strengthen your password further by using a mix of numbers, symbols and letters. For example, myB@nkLovesme.

“Given that we use passwords for more than online banking, it’s also a good idea to use different passwords for each of your online accounts. That way, if an attacker gets hold of one of your passwords, they won’t be able to access all of your accounts.

“And always keep your password secret. Don’t tell anyone. That includes family, friends and the Police. Bank staff will never ask you to tell them your password in a branch, over the phone, or by email.”

For more information about keeping yourself safe from online scams, see: https://www.nzba.org.nz/consumer-information/fraud-protection/how-to-keep-yourself-safe-from-online-scams/.

For information about CERT NZ’s campaign, see: https://www.cert.govt.nz/password-smart/.

Web link to media release

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