Internet Security
 
 
Internet Security TipsAbout E-mail Fraud
Internet Security FAQsAbout Spyware
About E-mail Security
   
  Want to know more on how to protect yourself?
Browse through our Frequently Asked Questions on the security of online banking.
Q1.How can I verify that the Citibank Online pages belong to Citibank?
Q2.How can I be sure that my information and account data are securely sent through Citibank Online?
Q3.What is Encryption?
Q4.How does encryption work?
Q5.How secure is it?
Q6.What level of encryption does Citibank Online support?
Q7.How do I know if my browser supports 128-bit encryption?
Q8.Will an unauthorized person be able to access my accounts with Citibank Online?
Q9. May I conduct my transactions at a Cyber Cafe?
Q10.How do I know whether the transactions made through Citibank Online have been completed?
Q11.What if my computer crashes or I get disconnected from the Internet in the middle of a transaction? How will I know that my transaction has been effected?
Q12.Can I exit Citibank Online by clicking the browser-closing button at the top right?


Q1. How can I verify that the Citibank Online pages belong to Citibank?
Here are some steps that you need to follow:
1.Always type www.citibank.com.ph or use only a bookmark that was previously filed by you.
2.Click on the image of a padlock at the bottom of the browser window when you have reached the login screen where you enter your Card Number and PIN.
3.You will see the Security Info page.
4.Click on the View Certificate button.
5.You will see the Certificate page.
6.Check the certificate information for the following details:
a.Issued to: www.citibank.com.ph
b.Issued by: www.verisign.com
c.Valid from: 10/14/2005
d.Valid to: 10/15/2007

If the above information is correct, you may submit sensitive data (e.g., credit card numbers) to this site with the assurance that:
-This site has a VeriSign Secure Server ID.
-VeriSign has verified that the Secure Server ID was issued to Citibank.
-The site legitimately runs under Citibank.
-All information sent to this site, if in an SSL session, is encrypted, thereby protecting against unauthorized use.

These things must be done BEFORE typing in your Citicard/Credit Card number and ATM/Cash Advance PIN.

If any of these tests fail, you should contact our 24-Hour CitiPhone Banking at 995-9999 and notify our officers.

Back to top


Q2. How can I be sure that my information and account data are securely sent through Citibank Online?
Citibank currently offers 3 levels of security to help safeguard your financial information.
1.Strong Encryption (128-bit)
All data sent to and from Citibank is "scrambled" and "reassembled" between Citibank and your personal computer to protect your personal and financial information. 128-bit encryption, the highest level of encryption generally available today, means there are 2128 (2 to the power of 128) possible combinations of "keys but only one that will "unlock" the information.
2.Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Your PIN must be entered every time you log on to Citibank Online. Remember to always keep your PIN confidential.
3.Automatic Time Out
When there is no activity for 5 minutes. After this, Citibank will terminate your secure Citibank Online session to help protect against unauthorized access.

Back to top


Q3. What is Encryption?
Encryption technology allows secure transmittal of information along the Internet by encoding the transmittal data using a mathematical formula that scrambles the data. Without a corresponding "decoder", the transmission would look like nonsense text and would be unusable.

Back to top


Q4. How does encryption work?
Basic encryption involves the transmission of data from one party to another. The sender encodes the data by scrambling it, then sends it on. The receiver must decode the data with the correct "decoder" in order to read and use it.

Back to top


Q5. How secure is it?
The effectiveness (or level of security) for encryption is measured in terms of how long the key is - the longer the key, the longer it would take for someone without the correct "decoder" to break the code. This is measured in bits (e.g. 40-bit encryption, the level of encryption used with many browsers, versus the 128-bit encryption, the level of encryption required to use Citibank Online).

For a 40-bit key there are 240 possible different combinations. For a 128-bit key there are 2128 possible different combinations. 128-bit encryption is 309,485,009,821,345,068,724,781,056 times more powerful than 40-bit encryption.

Back to top


Q6. What level of encryption does Citibank Online support?
All transmission of customer information through Citibank Online is encrypted using 128-bit encryption technology, which currently is the strongest available for commercial use.

Back to top


Q7. How do I know if my browser supports 128-bit encryption?
The following browsers will support a secure 128-bit encryption connection:
  • Netscape Communicator 7.x and above or Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x and above.
  • Check our recommended PC and Browser Settings.

Back to top


Q8. Will an unauthorized person be able to access my accounts with Citibank Online?
Only the signers on an account, using their Citibank Card Number and PIN will be able to access the account. It's important to remember that your Card Number and PIN are valuable and that you use them with care. Never lend your card to anyone and never accept advice from strangers while you are using it. Also, be sure to keep your PIN to yourself. This code is an important means of protection for you. Never write it down anywhere.

Back to top


Q9. May I conduct my transactions at a Cyber Cafe?
We strongly recommend you do not conduct any banking transactions in an area where Internet service is available to the public. It is very difficult to ensure that these PC's are free of any hacking programs, which can capture your personal/account information. Should you have to perform transactions on public PCs, please ensure that you do not save your sign-on information. Clear the browser's memory cache before leaving.

Back to top


Q10. How do I know whether the transactions made through Citibank Online have been completed?
Here are several ways to find out:
  • A reference page will be given at the end of each completed transaction
  • Click "View Record" (below every completed transaction reference page) to view the recently completed transaction. You may print this reference page.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to send us a message by clicking the envelope on the upper right portion of the "My Home" of Citibank Online or call our 24-Hour CitiPhone Banking to inquire about the transaction.

Back to top


Q11. What if my computer crashes or I get disconnected from the Internet in the middle of a transaction? How will I know that my transaction has been effected?
There's no need to worry. You may login again to Citibank Online to check your account balances and recent transactions. Should you have any question, you may call our 24-Hour CitiPhone Banking to check if your instructions have been received and carried out.

Back to top


Q12. Can I exit Citibank Online by clicking the browser-closing button at the top right?
You should click the "log out" button at the top left of the screen. This will ensure your session is properly signed off.

Back to top
   
Print This Page
   
  Related topics
 Citibank Security Guide
Internet Security
Citigroup.com
About Us
Contact Us
Careers
Security
Site Map
Privacy
Terms & Conditions
Citi.com is the global source of information about and access to financial services provided by the Citigroup family of companies.
Copyright © 2013 Citigroup