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How to protect your PC against malicious actions?

Protect your PC against malicious actions

Unauthorised users will try to install programmes (Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horses, Spyware etc) to your computer via Internet or an e-mail to your ignorance. Such programmes could break your personal data and codes, destroy your files and programmes and generally harm your computer.

ALPHA FINANCE informs you about the risks of using electronic systems and, in order to help you execute your electronic transactions securely, suggests that you should:
 
  1. Shield your computer with security software
    • Firewalls
    • Antivirus
    • Antispyware
  2. Be careful and "prudent" while using Internet
    • Do not reply to unwarranted e-mails that ask for your account details or security codes
    • Do not ignore "strange behaviors" of your computer
    • Always update your computer system and software with the latest available for downloading versions
    • Delete the temporary Internet files from your computer's browser
    • Make sure that you visit ALPHA FINANCE's website and pages
    • Always keep your security codes safe
    • Avoid using public or third person's computers
    • Contact ALPHA FINANCE immediately in case you suspect any theft attempt of your security codes
 

1. Shield your computer with security software

•  "Firewall", which is a software program that stops third parties from accessing your computer via the Internet.
Indicatively, there are the following firewall programmes (for Windows operating systems):
-  ISS: BlackIce PC Protection 
-  Network Associates: McAfee Personal Firewall 
-  Symantec: Norton Personal Firewall 
-  Tiny Software: Tiny Personal Firewall 
-  Zone Labs: ZoneAlarm 

(if your computer has Windows XP operating system , a firewall has already been installed).

•  "Anti-virus" programmes, that can detect and delete malicious programmes (viruses), that have been installed in your computer.

Indicatively, vendors of "anti-virus" software are shown below:
- McAfee
- Symantec 
- Trend Micro
- F-secure
                                  
•  "Anti-spyware" programmes that protect, detect and delete "Spyware" programmes. "Spyware" programmes are not necessarilly "malicious", but collect and can transmit information about your Internet behavior (i.e. pages (sites) that you visit, the codes that you keystroke etc).

Some Anti-Spyware programmes that are currently available for purchase are shown below:
- Microsoft Windows Antispyware
- Lavasoft Ad-aware
- Spybot Search & Destroy
                  
Further information about your computer's protection for Windows users can be found here: here

 

2. Be careful and "prudent" while using Internet:

•  Do not reply to unwarranted e-mails that ask for your account details or security codes
-  ALPHA FINANCE will never ask you for your ALPHA WEB TRADING security codes in any way (by phone or e-mail). These codes are strictly personal and you must never reveal them to anyone.
-  Ignore e-mails that seem to be sent by ALPHA FINANCE and ask for your bank accounts’ numbers, cards numbers or ALPHA WEB TRADING security codes. These e-mails are sent by people who try to steal your secret codes and gain access to your accounts.
-  Do not select links contained in e-mails or third persons' websites that drive you into other websites that ask for your account and card numbers and/or your ALPHA WEB TRADING security codes.
-  In case you receive such a “suspicious” e-mail, please forward it to ALPHA FINANCE immediately (to the e-mail alphatrade@alphafinance.gr) and delete it from your e-mail box.                                                                                                                                                 

•  Do not ignore "strange behaviors" of your computer that may be caused by the installation of "Spyware" programmes, such as:
- Opening of pop-up advertising windows, even if you are not connected to the Internet
- Change of the Web Browser home page, without your action.
- Display of a new toolbar on your Web Browser without your permission.
- Further delay or slowing down of certain tasks' execution.   
                                                                                                                                                  

•  Always update your computer software with the latest available versions, patches or fixes of your computer's operating system, the anti-virus, the anti-spyware programmes  and the browsers that you use. To do so, always address the official web pages of the vendors/software companies that develop them. Specifically:
- - Concerning the operating system and the browsers that you use, Microsoft publishes on a regular basis security updates mainly for Windows, the Internet Explorer and the Office environment. All updates should be installed in your computer either automatically or via the Microsoft Web Site (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com). Windows 2000, XP and 2003 offer the capability of automatic updates, without user intervention.
- The anti-virus and anti-spyware programmes that your use should be updated regularly with the latest versions in order to be able to detect and delete programmes i.e Worm and Trojan Horses that appear occasionally at the Internet.
                                                                                                                                                 
    
•  Delete the temporary Internet files from your computer browser after signing off ALPHA WEB TRADING. Do so especially if you use other people computers or computers that are used by third parties as well.
In order to delete these temporary Internet files:

-  In case you use Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6:
   >   Select 'Tools' and then 'Internet Options'.
   >   Select 'General' and from the 'Temporary Internet Files' press the button 'Delete Files'.
  
-  In case you use Mozilla Firefox 
   >   Select 'Tools' and then 'Options'.
   >   Select 'Privacy' and from the 'Cache' press the button 'Clear'.

    
•  Make sure that you visit ALPHA FINANCE’s website and pages
-  Sign on to ALPH WEB TRADING only via ALPHA FINANCE’s website (www.alphafinance.gr) and not via links from other websites.
-  Before signing on to ALPHA WEB TRADING, make sure that you are in ALPHA FINANCE’s secure environment.
>    In case of using Internet Explorer:
     1. Double click on the yellow “padlock” that appears on the right hand side of the browser’s window bottom bar.
     2. A dialogue window opens. Select the “Details” tab.
     3. Select the “Subject” field.
     4. The “CN” item must indicate alphatrade.alphafinance.gr
     5. The “O” item must indicate "Alpha Finance"
>    In case of using Mozilla Firefox:
     1. Double click on the yellow “padlock” that appears on the right hand side of the browser’s window bottom bar.
     2. A dialogue window opens. The “Security” tab is already selected.
     3. Press the “View” button.
     4. Another dialogue window opens. The “General” tab is already selected.
     5. From the "Issued to", the "Common Name (CN)" item must indicate alphatrade.alphafinance.gr
     6. From the "Issued to", the "Organization (O)" item must indicate "Alpha Finance".                                                                                                                                                   

•  Always keep your security codes safe in order to prevent third persons from gaining access to your accounts by guessing or stealing your security codes. For this reason, you should:
-  Μemorise your security codes and do not write them down on items that can be easily stolen such as notebooks, telephone books etc.
-  Change your codes on a regular basis. This can easily be done via ALPHA WEB TRADING’s corresponding transactions (concerning security codes’ maintenance). 
                                                                                                                                            

•  Avoid using public or third person’s computers. Your security codes can more easily be stolen (in a physical or electronic manner) in environments that you do not control completely. In case you need to access ALPHA WEB TRADING by using a computer that is not in your premises, make sure that:
-  There is no possible way that other people can monitor by sight or electronically (i.e. installed security cameras) the typing of your security codes or personal details.
-  You use browsers that are familiar to you.
-  You inactivate the browser’s function to automatically memorise passwords:
   >  In case of Internet Explorer:
       1.    Select Tools>Internet Options>Content>AutoComplete
       2.    Select Clear Forms
       3.    Select Clear Passwords
   >  In case of Mozilla Firefox:
      1.    Select Tools>Options>Privacy
      2.    Select 'Saved Form Information' and press ‘Clear’
      3.    Select 'Saved Passwords' and press ‘Clear’
-  After completing all your transactions, select "Log out".
-  You delete the temporary Internet files from the computer's browser.
-  You do not leave behind any personal date or notes, after you leave the location.                                                                                                                                              

•  In case you suspect or realise any physical or electronic theft attempt of your security codes:
-  Inactivate your subscription either via ALPHA WEB TRADING (by selecting the corresponding transactions) or by calling us on 210 370 5700 (daily, 8:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.)