Security
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know that National Bank's DirectDeal is safe and secure?
The data travelling across the Internet between your computer and our DirectDeal system is encrypted. All
transactions are transmitted in a secure 128 bit encrypted environment. This protects your data from other people as
it travels across the Internet.
Access to DirectDeal requires two authenticating factors, something only you have (the security device) and
something only you know, your PIN. These two factors when associated with your own unique userid give
you the ability to access the system.
How often do I have to change my PIN?
The DirectDeal system does not force you to change your PIN. However we recommend that
you change your PIN regularly and at least once every three months. Your PIN together with the
unique authentication number generated by your security device (SecurID token) is your 'key' to
DirectDeal. It is therefore important that you take precautions to keep it safe. Under the DirectDeal
Terms and Conditions of Use, you are obliged to protect your PIN and SecurID token security device.
To change your PIN, use the 'Change your PIN' link within your DirectDeal session.
What happens if I forget to log off?
As well as protecting your PIN and security device, you need to protect your DirectDeal session from unauthorised use.
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We have a time-out in place in case you forget to log off. However, this in no way reduces or removes
your liability for ensuring that appropriate personal security procedures are followed.
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Always log off from your DirectDeal session when you have finished.
In addition to logging off, you should also:
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Ensure that your browser is not caching secure pages - see the section on 'Caching Pages' for more information.
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If you are sharing a computer with other people, always ensure that you close all browser windows
at the end of your DirectDeal session to prevent others from accessing your DirectDeal session.
Does The National Bank use a digital certificate?
We have a digital certificate verifying that our DirectDeal site is encrypted and secure.
What is a SecurID token?
The SecurID token is a security device that is used to generate an authentication number using an
algorithm that is associated with that device. The security device is also associated with a unique
userid and PIN combination. The unique authentication number, PIN and userid together with advanced encryption form
the basis of the security structure in DirectDeal.
RSA SecurID is provided in association with RSA Security Inc.
(More information on RSA SecurID)
Can I prevent my DirectDeal pages being cached?
A cache is a temporary store of previously visited pages that allows you to use the back button to return to them.
To avoid secure pages being cached you may need to check your Browser settings.
How secure is DirectDeal on a shared computer?
As long as you log off properly and maintain appropriate personal security procedures, your access to DirectDeal
can be just as secure on a shared computer as a personal computer. See "What happens if I forget to log off?"
Does The National Bank's website use cookies?
A cookie is a small data file that the website sends to your browser, which may then store it on your
system for later retrieval by our site. Cookies track your movements through different websites; they
do not record any other personal information about you. Cookies are widely used on websites
to help with navigation and to help personalise your experience when you visit a website. For
more information read our section on cookies. You can also obtain more information on the Internet, for
example by visiting the Microsoft site or the Netscape site.
We may use cookies (except within our Online Banking service) to provide you with tailored information from
our website, and to serve you better when you return to it.
Session cookies exist in your PC memory only and are used by the DirectDeal site to ensure that you are
able to access various applications without having to re-input your userid and passcode. These session
cookies are only valid for a defined period of time and if you log out of the system or close down your
browser, the session cookie is immediately invalidated.
(More information on cookies)
Why is security on the Internet so important?
The Internet makes it easy to collect information – in fact it was originally designed so that people
could share information.
When you use DirectDeal our objective is to do what we can to ensure that:
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No one else can access your personal or account information.
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No one can impersonate us, to you.
What browser do I need to use?
You need to use a browser that supports 128-bit data encryption. We recommend that customers should use Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.
If you do not have a browser that supports 128-bit encryption, you can
download one from the
Microsoft site.