All our security procedures have to be followed and the Security Password or Authorisation PIN should never be revealed to anyone. Even though Hellenic Bank takes numerous steps to protect all your financial and personal information from unauthorised access, it is your responsibility to take measures in order to safeguard your ‘Login Information’

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for details related to your security duties to Hellenic Net Banking Service.

Below please find information related to our Service Security in the format of questions and answers.

Data encryption is the scrambling of data into a code that is unreadable to anyone who does not have the key ( "decoder" ) that deciphers it.

This secure transmission of information between you and Hellenic Bank, through the Internet, is achieved by encoding the transmitted data from the sender, with a mathematical formula that scrambles the data. The receiver must decode this data with the correct "decoder" in order to read and use it.

The level of security of this encryption is measured in terms of how long the key is. The longer the key, the longer it would take for someone to break the code without the correct "decoder" . This is measured in bits, 40-bit encryption is the level of encryption used with many ordinary Browsers, while 128-bit encryption is the level of encryption required to use Hellenic Net Banking.

There are 2⁴⁰possible different combinations for a 40-bit key to break while 2¹²⁸ possible different combinations for 128-bit Key. It is considered that the 128-bit encryption is 309,485,009,821,345,068,724,781,056 times more secure than 40-bit encryption.

Hellenic Net Banking Service provides 128-Bit encryption sessions through the use of a special server software and server certificate.

If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer lists the security in its Help menu, under "About Internet Explorer". Next to the section marked "Cipher Strength" it will say 128-bit if you have the 128-bit secure browser.

If you are using Netscape Navigator, Netscape Navigator for Windows lists its security level in its Help menu, under "About Netscape". In the Mac version, it is listed under the Apple icon. In the section marked "RSA Encryption", a sentence in bold describes either "US" or "International" security. The US refers to 128-bit and International to 40-bit or 56-bit encryption.

Check for the SSL secure connection symbol.

When you connect to Hellenic Net Banking login page, a secure session from beginning to the end with 128-bit encryption will be established between your computer and Hellenic Bank. You can confirm that your Net Banking session is encrypted by the appearance of a closed padlock symbol on the status bar of your browser.

Check the digital certificate.

Every time you connect to Hellenic Net Banking, our Server sends your Browser a packet of information called a ‘digital certificate’. This certificate identifies the site you are connecting to, and establishes the secure session.

You can view the contents of the certificate when you connect by clicking on the padlock symbol on the status bar of your Browser. The Issuer field on the certificate should contain a reference to Thawte Server CA, the issuer of the 'digital certificate'. The Subject field should always show the organisation as Hellenic Bank Public Company Limited.

Hellenic Bank currently offers 4 levels of Security to help safeguard your financial information.

Strong Data Encryption (128-bit). All data exchanged between Hellenic Bank and your personal computer is protected with 128-bit encryption that is the highest level of encryption generally available today and is explained earlier in this guide at 1.0 topic.

Subscriber ID, Security Password and Authorisation PIN. You will be provided a Subscriber ID and Security Password to submit each time you wish to access our Service as well as an Authorisation PIN to authorise any transfers that you may wish to perform.

We strongly recommend that you always keep your Passwords confidential and never reveal them to anyone. Also ensure that the "memorise password function" or "auto-complete" option in your Internet Explorer Browser is disabled.

Automatic Time Out. Timed log-out is imported after 10 minutes of inactivity to ensure the confidentiality of your personal and financial information. Please ensure that you always log off properly at the end of every session..

System locks automatically. System locks automatically after three unsuccessful attempts to login as a safety measure against unauthorised access.

If you feel in any case that your Security Password or Authorisation PIN have been revealed, you should immediately contact Hellenic Bank Service Line to reset these passwords.

Normally, there should be no problem in connecting to our Service. However, there are cases where problems may arise. Here are some examples of such problems:

Wrong / Forgotten Subscriber ID or Security Password.

By default, System allows three attempts to login to our Service otherwise locks you automatically. In this event, our Hellenic Bank Service Line should be informed.

Bank has denied access to this Subscriber ID

Hellenic Bank reserves the right to deny access to any person that at the Bank’s discretion is not using this Service under the Terms & Conditions of the Bank. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for details related to this topic.

Unsuitable Internet Explorer Browser or settings.

Our Hellenic Net Banking Service supports Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5+ and Netscape 6+ Browsers. Difficulties may be experienced however if using previous versions Browsers or new versions that have not yet been tested to ensure compatibility with our Service.

Hellenic Bank reserves the right to prevent access to this Service through certain Browsers for security reasons.

Firewall protection.

Usually there is no interference with any Firewall software as our Service is Browser based but if this is the case, the settings of this software will have to be changed to allow connection with Hellenic Net Banking Service.

Hellenic Net Banking Service is down.

Hellenic Bank undertakes essential system maintenance on frequent intervals and our Service may not be available when this maintenance is in progress. A message with further details will appear on your Internet Explorer Browser.

Unauthorised access by someone who has changed the Security Password.

This is not a common case but it may happen. We strongly advice that you always take measures in safekeeping your passwords and never reveal them to anyone.

Our Hellenic Bank Service Line is available to assist in overcoming all problems related to connection with our system and immediate action is required in the case of unauthorised access to your financial information.

Even though Hellenic Bank takes numerous steps to protect all your financial and personal information from unauthorised access, it is your responsibility to take measures in order to safeguard your ‘Login Information’.

Below please find examples of how to maintain this Security.

Memorise your Internet Subscriber ID, Security Password and Authorisation PIN

When subscribing to our Service, you are provided with Subscriber ID, initial Security Password and initial Authorisation PIN Number to authenticate your identity when beginning Banking online. We strongly advice that you never write down but memorise this information, never use information that is known and can be guessed and never reveal it to anyone. Also ensure that the "memorise password" function or "Auto complete" option in your Internet Explorer Browser is disabled.

Please note that Hellenic Bank will never ask you for your PIN over the telephone, in an electronic message, or in any written communication.

Change your PIN regularly.

First time users are forced to change both Security Password and Authorisation PIN provided by the Bank for security purposes.

For the same reasons we strongly advice that you change both your Security Password and Authorisation PIN regularly. You can do this easily at any time during your Internet Banking session.

Remember to logout properly.

It's important to logout properly at the end of every session. If you are not using your personal computer, we recommend that you ensure that the "memorise password" function or "Auto complete" option in the Internet Explorer Browser is disabled prior to the connection to our Service and completely close down the Internet Explorer Browser at the end of your Session.

Utilise the built-in Security features of your Browser Utilisation of the built-in security features that Internet Explorer Browsers provide is recommended for extra Security. Upgrade to a Browser that supports 128-bit encryption is a must.

Hellenic Bank takes numerous steps to keep all accounts and personal information secure. Our Service meets high standards of Security with strong data Encryption and firewalls to ensure your confidentiality and Security when Banking Online.

Your entire session, from beginning to the end is encrypted with 128-bit Data Encryption therefore the risk is minimised.

Further information on this subject is available at Disclaimer.