HSBC Security Statement

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HSBC steps

Ensuring your online transactions are safe and secure

As a bank we are used to thinking about security. The internet brings new risks that must also be recognised and guarded against. At HSBC, we use industry standard security technology and practices, focusing on three key areas – privacy, technology and identification so we can safeguard your accounts from any unauthorised access.

Privacy

We use industry standard encryption within our Internet banking services

Secure sessions
When you log in to Internet Banking you are said to be in a "secure session". You know you are in a secure session if the URL address begins with https:// or a padlock symbol appears in the lower right hand corner of your browser.

Encryption
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology is used within your Internet Banking session to encrypt information before it leaves your computer. This ensures that no one else can read it. Depending on your browser settings, a pop-up window may appear to tell you that you are entering a secure page.

Encryption converts your data into an encoded form before it's sent over the Internet. This stops any unauthorised users from reading the information. At HSBC, we use 128-bit SSL Encryption , which is accepted as the industry standard.

Technology

We use many layers of security – for obvious reasons we cannot disclose all of them, but the following are typically used:

• All our operating systems are updated with the latest security patches
• Our anti-virus software is kept updated
• We use firewalls to prevent unauthorised intruders
• Digital certificates are used

Identification

We use a log on process with passwords and digital certificates to be sure that we're dealing with Laughing Hens

Source: HSBC http://www.hsbc.com/hsbc/security/secure-business-banking/our-steps