Security for your online banking and mobile banking is of the utmost importance at Legacy National Bank. However, we want you to stay on your toes as well. Some viruses find their way into systems because users let them in. Make sure you’re not “opening the gates” to would-be hackers with the appropriately named “Trojan Horse” virus.
We all know the story of the Trojan Horse – how the ancient Greeks took down the independent city of Troy by hiding soldiers in a huge wooden horse, which was wheeled into the gates by the Trojans themselves. As the story goes, the Greeks crept out of the horse and opened the gates for reinforcements, and down fell Troy.
Remember this story every time you open email, click an advertisement or download software. Don’t end up like Troy. These viruses are often disguised to look like something familiar, which is why they are so dangerous. The Trojan Horse viruses, or sometimes simply called “Trojans,” can give hackers access to your banking accounts, saving accounts and even your passwords and personal identity.
In fact, there is a subset of these Trojans called “Trojan-Banker.” These programs are designed specifically for account data. In some worst-case scenarios, a cyber-criminal can start making direct deposits or e-payments to themselves immediately.
Trojans are actually not a virus at all. They are a form of malware. The program is doing what it is designed to do and it cannot replicate itself like a virus. The only way it can work is if you download it, which is the good news. If you never download a Trojan, it can never harm you.
To avoid downloading a Trojan, never open a link or an attachment in an email unless you’re 100% sure it’s from someone or a company you know. If you’re skeptical, go ahead and make a call to confirm the email is from the sender you think it is, and ask if they recently sent you an attachment. If a hacker has received your data – even from another party – they can create an email account similar to ones in your contact list.
Also, don’t trust programs from pop-up windows. This is a common place for cyber criminals to plant Trojans.
However, even the most cautious person isn’t perfect. Security software that alerts you when you navigate to an unsafe site is a wise investment.
As a community bank, we want you to protect yourself and we want every member of our community to be protected as well. After all, what affects our community has a lasting affect on us all.