Security

Background

The following information is intended to address any general concerns clients may have around the security of online enquiries and transactions.

Huljich Wealth Management (New Zealand) Limited ("HWM") makes every effort to ensure optimal security of your data and all transactions at all times; clearly, protecting our clients is also good business for us. However, no matter how much we do, there are still some risks in transacting online. You also need to take some action to protect yourself. The following information is designed to help you do this.

1. Internet security issues
2. HWM's standard practices
3. Verifying websites
4. Protecting yourself
5. Contact information

Internet security threats

Phishing
Phishing refers to the online fraud technique of sending official-looking email messages with return addresses, links and branding, all of which appear to have come from legitimate banks, retailers, credit card companies, etc. Such emails typically contain a hyperlink to a spoof website where account holders are misled into entering their customer names and security details on the pretence that these security details must be updated or changed. Once this information is given, it can then be used on legitimate sites to take your money.
It is important that you are suspicious of any emails asking for your account information and think very carefully before meeting such requests.

Advance fee fraud
You may already have heard of 'advance fee fraud', where emails offering large sums of money are sent to thousands of email addresses, with a modest 'fee' required in order to cover legal fees, open an account or pay customs charges. Sometimes the money offered is as a result of a lottery for which you have never bought a ticket. Sometimes the money is held in an account overseas but the account owner cannot access it. They promise a percentage of the money in return for your help. In both cases, various fees have to be paid.

Do not respond to these emails. They are a fraud and you will not receive any of the promised money.

We include this warning as we are aware that the criminals carrying out these frauds have in the past used the name HWM, or an HWM subsidiary, as part of this scam.

Spyware and Adware
Spyware is a type of software that covertly collects user information while connected to the Internet.

Adware is a type of spyware used by marketers to track a user's internet habits and interests for the purpose of customising future advertising material. Adware can monitor information such as sites visited, articles read, types of pop-ups and banners the user clicks on. The information is then used to customise future advertisements directed to the user, or it can be sold to a third party for the same purpose.

Virus and Worms
A virus is a software program that is able to replicate itself when a set of conditions have been satisfied. These conditions usually involve human interaction. Once activated, a virus can be very destructive, including overwriting the files of a local hard disk.
A worm is a self-replicating software program that attempts to spread to other computers. As with a virus, a worm can be very destructive.

Trojans (or Trojan horses)
Trojans are software programs that disguise themselves as an application on an individual's computer. This type of program does not replicate itself like a virus or worm, but it can be just as harmful. For example, one known Trojan horse promotes the idea it will attempt to remove viruses from a computer. However, instead of removing them, it infects the computer further.

Protect yourself

Take care of your computer
Update your computer by installing the latest software and patches, to prevent hackers or viruses exploiting any known weaknesses in your computer.

Install and update virus protection, to protect against viruses corrupting your computer and to prevent hackers installing Trojan viruses on your computer.

Install and update anti-spyware tools.

Install and update personal firewalls.

Only use programs from a known trusted supplier.

Being wary of banners, ads and pop-ups while on the Internet. Do not click on them, no matter how enticing they may appear.

Review terms and conditions when you install free programs or subscribe to services from the Internet.

Beware of spam emails.

Use a spam filter to avoid even seeing these messages.

Never respond to a spam message; your email address is then recorded as 'live' and the spamming will increase.

Should you read a spam message, remember - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

More information

The Anti-Phishing Working Group provides statistics on phishing attacks and advice for individuals and companies.