SUPPORT

Security Tips

​We encourage all our customers to be alert about online security for a hassle-free banking experience. Here are a few tips to ensure your accounts and credit cards are always secure.

Protecting Yourself

We take your on-line security very seriously and do our best to ensure the integrity of the security features required for Internet banking are kept at the highest standards. However, having strong security controls on our Internet banking system alone isn't always sufficient to protect against on-line fraud. It is also important that you secure your own environment.

Protection Tips

Devices

  • Ensure to have operating systems updated with all the patches
  • Buy licensed and genuine software
  • Avoid freeware software
  • Keep strong passwords
  • Install an industry recognized antivirus software that takes care of virus and malware threats
  • Ensure that antivirus software is updated regularly
  • Do ensure that you regularly review alerts on your PC
  • Enable personal firewall
  • Turn-on screensavers with passwords

Network

  • Secure your home network
  • Try to always use a secured network. If the network is “open” – does not require any password to sign in – then you are at a MUCH higher risk of someone sniffing
  • Do not use networks that are neither secured nor encrypted. Connect to a secure network by looking out for the padlock icon beside it
  • Use only reputable network providers
  • Securely browse internet by enabling personal firewalls and internet protection software
  • Links to websites should be thoroughly verified to ensure you are entering secured sites and not victimized by cyber criminals

Data

Identity Thefts

Identity theft occurs when fraudsters use your personal information without your knowledge or consent to take out bank accounts, credit cards, loans, state benefits and documents such as passports and driving licenses in your name. Your identity and personal details are very important for a variety of reasons. If these are compromised by criminals, you may only discover financial crime when you receive letters seeking repayment of debts you haven't incurred, or you find an unexplained credit in your bank account.

It can have very serious consequences on your personal life and finances. For example, you may have difficulty getting loans, credit cards or a mortgage until the problem is sorted out.

Keep your identity secure

Keep valuable documents secure

  • It's vital you look after any identity document such as your passport and driving license. Always make sure they are in your possession, whether at home, at work or on holiday
  • When you're not using them, keep them in a locked drawer or safe at home. Remember, don’t keep your cheque books and bank cards together – store them separately.
  • Destroy all unwanted paperwork. Always destroy all important personal and financial paperwork when you don't need it any longer - preferably using a cross-cut shredder for additional security.
  • Paperwork to destroy includes:
    • Old bank, credit card and financial statements
    • Old credit card receipts
    • Any partly completed application forms carrying your personal details
    • Any document with your name and address on them
    • Also, don't forget to destroy all unwanted plastic cards which have your details on them

Social Sites

Social provides great platform to be in touch with friends, family and business associates. However, it is important to consider what information is shared on social media

  • Don’t reveal too much personal information that can be used to cause a harm. For e.g. sharing date of birth should be avoided. If you still want to share, just mentioned the date/month and not the year
  • Use privacy settings offered by most of the social media sites
  • Be suspicious about connecting to people whom you don’t know​

Password & Pin Security

Passwords

Create a secure, strong password to protect yourself. Passwords provide the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your computer. The stronger your password is, the more protected your computer will be from hackers and malicious software. Please ensure you have strong passwords for all accounts on your computer.

Here are few tips to help you create a strong password.

A strong password:

  • Is at least eight characters long.
  • Does not contain your user name, real name, or the Bank’s name.
  • Does not contain a complete word.
  • Is significantly different from previous passwords.
  • Don't use the same password for everything. Cybercriminals steal passwords on websites with very little security, and then they try to use that same password and user name in more secure environments, such as banking websites.
  • Change your passwords often. Set an automatic reminder for yourself to change your passwords on your email, banking, and credit card websites about every three months.
  • The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. However, password hacking software automatically checks for common letter-to-symbol conversions, such as changing "and" to "&" or "to" to "2."
  • Use the entire keyboard, not just the letters and characters you use or see most often

PINs

  • Use stronger PINs that are difficult to guess
  • PINs should not be shared with anyone and always kept confidential
  • Ensure the PIN is not written anywhere
  • Regularly change your PIN

Internet Banking

Protect yourself against phishing emails

Phishing emails have been on the rise over the past few years. These emails claim to be sent by financial institutions of good repute, such as National Bank of Oman, and are a fraudulent attempt to ‘fish out’ your banking details by using a web page that looks very similar to the bank’s web page.

Phishing emails will generally request you to provide sensitive financial information, including online banking passwords, by claiming an erroneous credit to your account, or that your account has been blocked and needs to be re-activated. They ask you to sign on to internet banking to confirm your security information, which can then be used to tap into your accounts.

Important Notice: Please note that National Bank of Oman will not contact you and seek your personal details, including your account information, password, etc, under any circumstances. Should you receive any emails from National Bank of Oman asking for any such personal details, please do not to respond to them or share any personal information by clicking on any of the links provided within such emails.

Below are some things you can do to make sure your personal and account information is safe from phishers. 

  1. In the event that you receive an email requesting your Internet Banking security details such as PIN, username and password, or account number, delete the email immediately. Do not reply or click on any link in the email. 
  2. When you access National Bank of Oman’s Internet Banking site, always type the address into search bar. Once the page opens up, check to make sure the URL begins with https:// and has a padlock next to it. This indicates that the site is on a secure server.
  3. If you receive suspicious emails, delete them instantly. If you happen to open them, do not click any link or attachment they may contain.
  4. Be sure to sign in to your online accounts on a regular basis so that you can identify any suspicious activity as soon as possible.
  5. In the event that you receive a fraudulent email from someone pretending to be National Bank of Oman, please report the email immediately at reportincident@nbo.co.om​ OR call our call center at 800 77077
  6. Change your passwords regularly. Use stronger passwords for better security
  7. Monitor your transactions regularly. Be sure to review all your order confirmations and cross-check your credit card and account statements as soon as you receive them. If you have Internet Banking with National Bank of Oman, log in often to review all your transactions and to make sure you are being charged only for transactions that you have initiated. If you note any irregularities, notify the bank immediately.
  8. Do not send sensitive personal or financial information unless it is encrypted on a secure website. This is especially true for online shopping sites, which will require you to enter credit card information.  

Steps we are taking to provide you a secure online banking environment

At National Bank of Oman, we take the security of your online banking transactions very seriously. To this end, we have put a number of enhanced security features in place by introducing:

1. One-time passwords are sent through SMS to registered mobile numbers for transacting securely
2. Instant SMS alerts to the mobile number you have registered with us, on almost all financial transactions initiated through National Bank of Oman Internet Banking. Please ensure that your mobile number and contact address are kept up-to-date with the bank by visiting any of our branches.

Important: If you receive an email claiming to be from National Bank of Oman asking for your financial / personal information, please let us know immediately by calling our 24/7 Customer Service Centre on +XXX XXX XXXX and forward the original email to reportincident@nbo.co.om​

Mobile Banking

We at National Bank of Oman desire to offer banking convenience at fingertips through our Mobile Banking platform. With mobile payments and banking becoming increasingly popular, it's important that you apply the security measures to your mobile phone as you would to your computer. In the wrong hands, your mobile phone could give the wrong person access to your accounts and ultimately your money. Keeping your phone updated and secure is the first step towards real mobile security. Below are some secured practices that can be adapted

When configuring your mobile device

  • Enable a power-on password or other device password management tool if available.
  • Configure the mobile device in such a way that it locks automatically after some inactive time.
  • Install mobile security software, such as anti-virus software and firewall on mobile device if available.
  • Apply the latest patches and fixes for your mobile operating system and related backup/synchronization software. Upgrade the software to its latest version where applicable.
  • Scrutinize thoroughly all permission requests, for example those involving privileged access, when installing applications/services.
  • Use encryption to lock sensitive data stored on the mobile device and removable media, if available
  • Make a note of your phone's IMEI number (dial *#06# to get it). This makes it easier to disable a stolen phone
  • Set up a remote data wiping feature if available.
  • Turn off wireless connections such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and/or infrared connectivity when not in use.
  • Turn off location services setting in your mobile device if it is not necessary to run location-based application.
  • Do not jailbreak the mobile device (to override usage and/or access limitations).

When using your mobile device

  • Do not leave a mobile device unattended, even for a moment.
  • Do not process sensitive data in the mobile device unless with encryption feature on or secure end-to-end connection.
  • Do not open or follow links in SMS/MMS or email from misleading URL, suspicious or un-trusted sources.
  • Do not download or accept programs and content from unknown or un-trusted sources.
  • Be cautious when connecting to publicly available Wi-Fi hotspots, and avoid access sensitive data unless with adequate security protection

At All time

  • Keep your mobile devices in a secure place, especially when not in use.
  • Stay alert on security vulnerability on mobile devices, and apply the latest patches and fixes when available.
  • Do not install illegal or unauthorized software on the mobile device.
  • Do not allow wireless connections from unknown or un-trusted sources on your device.


ATM Security

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are installed at many centers across Oman for our customers. It is important to understand the usage of ATMs securely. Here are some tips to help make your ATM experience more secure:

  • Treat your ATM card like cash
  • For your security, we recommend that you change your ATM PIN regularly. You can change your pin instantly and easily at any National Bank of Oman ATM. 
  • NEVER disclose your PIN to anyone
  • Be aware of strangers who offer to help you at an ATM, and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, such as loitering, at or around the ATM area. If you see any such activity please report it to the bank immediately
  • Take your ATM receipt with you. Don’t leave it at or near the ATM
  • Do not give out any information about your ATM card over the telephone
  • Report a lost or stolen card at once.
  • Check your receipts against your monthly statement to guard against ATM fraud
  • Cancel your transaction immediately if you see anyone or anything suspicious