Protecting your private information is the highest priority to The Community Bank. In an effort to help our customers protect themselves from electronic security issues this page will be updated to help provide the latest information regarding internet scams, viruses, and computer protection best practices.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has provided consumers with several websites that provide strategies for protecting your identity and provides resources for taking action if your identity has been stolen.

The following websites provide information on how to protect yourself:

• Identity Theft and Fraud - FDIC's consumer information site, which provides links and additional information.
• Don't be an On-Line Victim - A YouTube video presented by the FDIC which provides useful tips.
• Safe Internet Banking - FDIC site that provides specific tips for Internet Banking.
• StopFraud.gov - A website ran by the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (Also allows you to report fraud).
• IDTheft.gov - Another government run Identity Theft website

Using the information provided by the FDIC and the other government agencies listed above, the bank has created a condensed list of basic internet security tips.

• Antivirus and Malware Prevention - There are a number of good products out there that are designed to scan for and eliminate viruses and malware programs. To ensure these scanning programs are operating at their optimum levels you should update these programs on a regular basis. New viruses and malware programs are being created every day be sure that your program is updated at all times. Additionally, while most of these programs scan all incoming and outgoing files it is best practice to also perform a full scan of your system on a regular basis.
• Software Updates - Along with updating your antivirus/malware programs, all other software should also be updated on a regular basis. Numerous viruses and malware are designed to initially enter your computer using holes in existing softwares programming. Updates to these programs will close these holes. Many vendors such as Microsoft, Adobe, and Mozilla build in update features to their products to help you obtain the latest versions of their software.
• Stay Informed - One of the best way to prevent viruses and malware is to understand the latest trends in these programs. Many antivirus/malware software producers provide websites with information on the latest trends which could provide information to help you avoid these issues.