RCU Response to Heartbleed Bug

There has been a lot of news about the Heartbleed bug over the past week.  Here is what you need to know in a nutshell:

1. The Heartbleed bug did not affect Rocky Credit Union’s online banking site.  Information was properly encrytped at all times on our online banking site.
2. The Heartbleed bug is a bug that affects technology used to protect online accounts for email, instant messaging and e-commerce.
3. The Heartbleed bug has been able to read “encrypted” internet links on many websites for just over 2 years.
4. The type of encryption that the bug was able to crack is called OpenSSL which is used on about 17% of encrypted sites throughout the world, including Facebook, Pinterest, Gmail, and Twitter. 
5. A new release for OpenSSl  has been released, but it is up to the encrypted sites to perform the update.  
6. Because of the prevalence of the use of OpenSSL encryption on so many of the world’s most popular sites, we recommend that members change their passwords for all sites that require you to login and use a password.  If you do not, there is potential for someone to access your information, and possibly to even steal your identity.

This is a major event in the world of cybercrime.  Again, Rocky Credit Union’s online banking site was not affected by the Heartbleed bug, but if you use the same password on our online banking site as well as any others, for the safety of your information we recommend that you change them all.  Jerry

7 Tips to Protect Your Identity and Cards While on Vacation

7 Tips to Protect Your Identity and Cards While on Vacation

The time for people to escape out cool climate for warmer regions is now upon us.  Wherever you go, chances are that their standards for security regarding cards and accounts may not be great as those here at home.  The following are 7 tips that can help you protect your money while travelling abroad.

1. Use credit, not debit.  Credit cards usually have zero liability policies which can protect you if they are copied or stolen.  Debit cards give direct access to your account, which you want to avoid in areas where identity theft is likely.
2. Change PINs before your trip.  As you leave on your trip stop by the credit union and change your PINs on your debit and credit cards.  You can change them back upon returning, which blocks use of any possible stolen/copied cards after the PIN change date.  You can change your PIN in branch or at your credit union’s ATM.