Security Statement | United Community Bank
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Security Policy

SECURITY STATEMENT
This Internet Banking System brings together a combination of industry-approved security technologies to protect data for the bank and for you, our customer. It features password-controlled system entry, a VeriSign-issued Digital ID for the bank's server, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol for data encryption, and a router loaded with a firewall to regulate the inflow and outflow of server traffic.

SECURE ACCESS AND VERIFYING USER AUTHENTICITY
To begin a session with the bank's server the user must key in a Log-in ID and a password. Our system, the Internet Banking System, uses a "3 strikes and you're out" lock-out mechanism to deter users from repeated login attempts. After three unsuccessful login attempts, the system locks the user out, requiring either a designated wait period or a phone call to the bank to verify the password before re-entry into the system. Upon successful login, the Digital ID from VeriSign, the experts in digital identification certificates, authenticates the user's identity and establishes a secure session with that visitor.

SECURE DATA TRANSFER
Once the server session is established, the user and the server are in a secured environment. Because the server has been certified as a 128-bit secure server by VeriSign, data traveling between the user and the server is encrypted with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. With SSL, data that travels between the bank and customer is encrypted and can only be decrypted with the public and private key pair. In short, the bank's server issues a public key to the end user's browser and creates a temporary private key. These two keys are the only combination possible for that session. When the session is complete, the keys expire and the whole process starts over when a new end user makes a server session.

ROUTER AND FIREWALL
Requests must filter through a router and firewall before they are permitted to reach the server. A router, a piece of hardware, works in conjunction with the firewall, a piece of software, to block and direct traffic coming to the server. The configuration begins by disallowing ALL traffic and then opens holes only when necessary to process acceptable data requests, such as retrieving web pages or sending customer requests to the bank.

Using the above technologies, your Internet banking transactions are secure.

ONLINE BANKING SECURITY
At United Community Bank, we’re serious about protecting your personal information. We use a variety of security tools — from requiring a User ID and Password when you log in, to using encryption for all your online transactions.

We need your help, too. Protecting yourself online starts with knowing how to prevent fraud.

ENFORCING SAFE ONLINE AND MOBILE BANKING PRACTICES
United Community Bank is serious about safeguarding your personal information online and on mobile devices. As a security measure, you may access your account information from the UCBanking.com website or United Community Bank Consumer or Business App if you are currently enrolled in online banking.

  • UCBanking.com and our Mobile Apps use secure technology to encrypt your personal information such as User IDs, Passwords and account information over the Internet. United Community Bank will not solicit access codes, passwords or any other sensitive information unless initially contacted by the customer for customer support reasons.
  • Password protect your mobile device changing password frequently and lock it when you aren’t using it. Never use passwords that include birthdays, names, pet names, social security numbers or that repeat numbers or letters. Do not configure your mobile applications for auto-login capability. Keep your device in a safe location and don’t leave your mobile device unattended in public places. Consider using a Pattern, Fingerprint, Face ID or other authentication methods offered by your mobile device.
  • Frequently delete text messages received from us on your mobile device, even though they don’t contain sensitive information. Never disclose personal information about your accounts via a text or Email message. For example: account numbers, passwords or any combination of personal information.
  • When you log into mobile banking, be aware of the people around you. Even if you are speaking on your phone, be careful not to give account numbers or other personal information within earshot of others.
  • If you change your mobile number or lose your mobile device,immediately log onto online banking to disable mobile and text banking changing your sign on information to online banking, and call us to report a lost or stolen device.
  • Do not modify your device. This could leave it susceptible to infection from a virus. Don’t modify the mobile device to: give yourself more control, enable features that void warranties, change the root file systems or allow modifications to install third-party software or hardware components.
  • If possible, install reputable mobile security software on your devicesuch as an anti-virus and anti-malware. Consider using tools that allow you to remotely wipe your mobile device if it is lost or stolen.
  • Only download applications from reputable stores after reviewing feedback from other users and closely review application permission requests. Always start with contacting United Community Bank to verify what the apps or mobile banking products are called and where to sign up.
  • Monitor your accounts. Check balances and items that are presented on a regular basis. This will help to spot any suspicious activity.
  • Set up transaction Email alerts so that you can be notified for if your balance drops below a certain level and other transaction information so you will be better aware of your transactions and balances.
  • Don’t access banking or shopping applications using your private sign on credentials while connected through public Wi-Fi connections. Ensure your home wireless network is configured to use Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) Wireless Security Technology. Disable discoverable mode after enabling Bluetooth® devices, if your Smartphone does not automatically default to off after adding a device.
  • Ensure your Sign On and Password are hidden when interacting with United Community Bank’s web site and Mobile Banking App.
  • Delete any confidential information from the device prior to any third party servicing.
  • Don’t store financial information in your mobile device.
  • Keep your mobile device operating system and applications up to date with the latest patches.
  • Be cautious of opening unsolicited files, text messages, or applications, especially if they are received from unknown sources.
  • Never respond to a “phishing” text or email that requests your PIN, account number, or any card, and please remember that United Community Bank will never request this information in this manner.

Your online banking password ensures that only you can access your confidential information. Your password must contain a minimum of 8 characters with a maximum of 17, is case sensitive, and must contain a mix of letters and numbers but cannot contain spaces. You will be prompted to change your password every six months. Please remember this password and keep it secure. If you forget your password, you can use the reset feature or contact us at 866.505.3736.

SUBMITTING ONLINE FORMS
When you submit information through an online form, we’ll encrypt it to help keep your information secure. In other words, we scramble your details en route and decode it when we receive it. Please make sure your web session is secure by looking for a small lock symbol in the lower corner of your web browser window. Current versions of leading web browsers use this symbol to indicate when a web page is encrypted. You may also look for the letters “https://” at the beginning of your website URL in your web browser. The “s” means that the web connection is secure.

LINKING TO THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES
United Community Bank is not responsible for third parties’ (companies we link to from our websites) online security practices. In most cases, we provide links to non-United Community Bank websites solely to help you find more information about topics that interest you. Third party websites may have different privacy policies and/or security standards to govern their sites.

CHILDREN VISITING OUR WEBSITE
We created our websites for customers and potential customers, most of whom are adults. However, children may access our websites to request information and apply for certain products and services, like student loans. When children access our websites, we are confident that they and their parents will find none of our content to be objectionable. We encourage parents to install any of the various available software packages to prevent their children from accessing inappropriate websites.