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At Bank of China, we are constantly updating our security technology to protect your confidentiality and privacy. It is important that you take the necessary measures to safeguard and protect your financial information.
As Mobile Banking becomes part of banking convenience, protecting your mobile device is as critical as protecting your computer. These are some of the information, best practices and tips you should take to protect yourself and your mobile devices:
1. What are the safety precautions that you should take?
- Secure your device with a strong password
Create a strong password for your mobile device and set your mobile device to lock automatically when not in use.
- Download reliable antivirus software
You are advised to download and install reliable antivirus software on your mobile device and keep any security patches and antivirus software up-to-date.
- Exercise caution when downloading applications
Before you download any new application to your device, do check the ratings and comments to be aware of what the app does and what information it may access on your mobile device.
- Delete old messages
Do delete text messages from the bank after reading them as such information may lead to identity theft.
- Read the transaction details in SMS notification alerts carefully
You are advised to validate that the messages reflect your actual transaction requests in the SMS message. Do check your last login and transaction history regularly for any abnormal transaction. Please contact our 24-hour customer service hotline at 1800 66 95566 or + (65) 677 95566 (from overseas) to report the discrepancies. For best practices to safeguard your accounts and internet banking service, please refer to our online security policy.
- Keep your Electronic Banking username, password and eToken confidential at all times
Do notify us immediately if you have lost your eToken or detect any abnormal transaction.
- Update us on your latest contact details including mobile number
Update us immediately when you change your contact details.
- Be careful of suspicious links
- Know the latest threats on mobile security
Check our Latest Security Alerts and News frequently to be in the know of the latest malware threats and their behaviours.
2. What is malware?
Malware or “malicious software” is any software that is used to disrupt operations, gather sensitive information or gain access to a device, including a smartphone.
Malware (malicious software) is usually spread through text messages, emails or websites designed to lure victims into clicking on suspicious links.
3. How can your smartphone be infected by malware?
Smartphones are infected by malware when you download and install unauthorised/illegitimate applications that are laced with malware. Once the malware infects your smartphone and obtains privileged access rights, it can gain control over the smartphone to intercept messages, monitor calls, steal personal information, and even listen in with the device's microphone.
4. How can I prevent my smartphone from being infected by malware?
- Do not download applications from unauthorised or illegitimate app stores, or random download locations on the internet. Do not click on hyperlinks from messages, emails if you are unsure of the source.
- Install an anti-virus/malware software on your mobile device.
- Be alert especially if a screen on your mobile device suddenly pops up and asks for your confidential information, even if you did not open your applications or initiate any activity;
- Avoid using public/unsecured WiFi when transacting with sensitive information or mobile banking. Cybercriminals can use these WiFi networks to snoop and pry on your mobile device.
- Secure your mobile device with a password, pin or a relevant mechanism to prevent unauthorised use.
- Do not “root” or “jailbreak” the mobile device, as this could compromise mobile device security.
- If there is an update for your mobile device from legitimate sources such as Google Play Store, or Apple Play Store, install it. New updates are sometimes used to fix bugs and address security vulnerabilities.
- As cybercriminals’ mode of operations and malware could constantly be evolving, visit Bank of China website for more information and latest updates on other signs to watch out for.
5. What are some of the symptoms of mobile malware infection?
- Bad Battery Life
Whether malware is hiding in plain sight, pretending to be a regular application, or trying to stay hidden from the user, abnormal battery drainage can often give away the presence of an infection. This could be due to malware utilising the system resources to perform its actions (e.g., communicating with a command and control server) in the background.
- Dropped Calls and Disruptions
Mobile malware can affect outgoing and incoming calls. Frequently dropped calls or disruptions during a conversation could be the interference of mobile malware. Call your service provider to determine if the dropped calls are its fault. If it’s not, it is possible that someone or something is trying to eavesdrop on conversations or perform other suspicious activities.
- Unusual Phone/Data Bills
Android malware often infects devices and starts sending SMS text messages to premium-rated numbers. Some malware may send an SMS message just once a month to avoid suspicions, or they may uninstall themselves after causing unusually large mobile/data bills. Malware can also smuggle, steal and send sensitive data from your device to a third-party. Significant changes in your download or upload patterns could be a sign that someone or something has control over your device.
- Clogged Performance
Malware infection may cause serious performance problems as it tries to perform unauthorised activities in the background such as read, write or sending data from your smartphone. Checking RAM (Random Access Memory) use or CPU load could reveal the presence of malware that’s actively running on the device.
- Suspicious Applications:
If you notice an unusual change in the look-and-feel of your mobile device (such as new icons or applications), malware may have infected your phone.
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