Safe and sound.
Creating a secure login is an important step in protecting your personal and sensitive information when accessing online accounts.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that helps protect your online accounts beyond just a password. Keep reading to learn how it works and why it’s important.
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Contact us on 1300 728 728 during business hours or 0467 953 309 (8am - 6pm weekends & public holidays) and report your situation.
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You can report your card as lost or stolen 24/7 in our App, through Internet Banking, or by phoning 1300 728 728.
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Don't delay - as the quicker you let us know, the faster we can help protect you.
How do I secure my password?
Create strong, unique passwords.
- Choose a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Consider using passphrases—combinations of unrelated words that wouldn’t make sense to anyone but you—orangehockeydrawerflask anyone?
Avoid easily guessable information.
- Your birthday, your address, your middle name—this kind of information is too easy for scammers to get their hands on.
- Choose unique phrases that aren’t easily associated with you.
Use a trusted password manager.
- A password manager program can keep multiple passwords on hand for you—a far safer option than that notebook floating around in the bottom of your bag.
- The program can generate and securely store complex passwords for you.
- Some of the popular password managers used are: LastPass, 1Password, and Bitwarden.
Regularly update your passwords.
- Change your passwords regularly, ideally every few months. A reminder in your phone or calendar helps make sure you do!
- Avoid using the same password across multiple applications. That way if a scammer does get their hands on it, they can’t access everything.
How two-factor authentication works.
When you activate 2FA for an account, it’s password plus. You need not just one, but two forms of verification to access your accounts. This involves something you know (like a password) and something you have (like a code sent to your phone generated by an app).
Choose your plus one.
• The texting sidekick: A one-time code is sent to your mobile phone via text message.
• The inbox guardian: A one-time code is sent to your email address.
• The code creator: Use an app (such as Google Authenticator) to generate a unique code that changes every few seconds.
Why two-factor authentication is important.
Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) enhances your account security by requiring two verification steps.
Why we recommend the VIP Access app for 2FA
We strongly recommend using a Symantec VIP app for two-factor authentication, rather than SMS. The Symantec VIP app offers several advantages:
- Resistant to SIM-swapping attacks and phone porting: 2FA apps generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) locally on your device, so they are not dependent on your phone number. This protects against SIM-swapping and phone porting attacks, where attackers take control of your phone number.
- Offline and overseas availability: 2FA apps work offline, so you can generate codes even without an internet or phone connection.
- No interception risk: Since codes are generated directly on the app, and not sent to the phone, there’s no transmission of data that could be intercepted.
- Faster delivery: Codes are instantly available in the app without reliance on SMS networks, which might experience delays.
- No personal information shared: 2FA apps do not rely on your phone number, reducing the amount of personal data shared with services.
- Future-proof: As security threats evolve, 2FA apps are considered more secure and are widely supported by modern platforms.
Making the best use of two-factor authentication.
While SMS-based 2FA is better than no 2FA at all, using a 2FA app provides greater security, reliability, and usability. For your banking, it’s highly recommended to use an app-based solution.
Setting up the VIP Access app for 2FA
To enable 2FA using the VIP app:
- Download the VIP Access app from your app store.
- Open the VIP app and follow the instructions to set it up.
- Follow process below to register VIP app with Summerland Internet Banking platform.
- Use the VIP app to generate a unique code for logging in and authorising transactions.
If you need assistance, our staff are here to help. Contact us for support with setting up the VIP app.
Setting up VIP app access
To enable 2FA, you must already be registered for secure SMS. If you are not registered for Secure SMS please contact us on 1300 728 728.
To register for 2FA on Internet Banking:
- Login to Internet Banking.
- Navigate to settings.
- Register VIP security.
- Request Secure SMS code to device.
- Enter Credential ID (Symantec ID) from VIP app.
- Generate 1st security code.
- Wait 30 seconds for another code to generate.
- Enter 2nd code.
- Read/agree to terms & conditions.
- Click on ‘Register’ to complete process
Staying scam aware.
Scammers use various tactics to steal money or information, posing as trusted contacts, sending deceptive messages, or resorting to threats. To stay scam safe, don’t trust claims without verification, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments, and cut contact if threatened.
Remember: Stop. Think. Protect. Pause before sharing information, question if the message is authentic, and act quickly if something feels wrong.
