Here are some simple tips to protect your e-banking credentials, online transactions and personal data from malicious attacks.
Password protection guidelines
It is obvious that you want your transactions to be secure; therefore, we provide simple advice to prevent the possibility of your passwords being stolen.
e-banking
- your login details (username & password) are strictly personal. Do not disclose them to any third parties or write them down anywhere
- ignore any emails or unusual pop-ups that may appear asking for your e-banking credentials
- protect your computer by always keeping the firewall activated
- install an anti-virus software on your computer
- be careful when logging in to your e-banking service from another computer that is not your personal computer. You should always log out and avoid saving your login information upon completing your transactions.
What to do if you do not receive notifications on your mobile;
- avoid passwords generated by autocomplete applications and passwords with repetitive or consecutive numbers or dates
- select passwords that others do not know or are unable to guess
- do not use the same PIN for your mobile, card and e-banking service
- do not hack your mobile software by using rooting or jailbreaking in android and iOS devices respectively
- avoid connecting to public networks, such as in shops or airports
- reset to factory settings if you are going to sell, give away or recycle your mobile phone.
Ensuring password and online transaction protection
We shield the security of our digital channels and your online transactions with the use of modern electronic protocols.
Transaction identification factors
Optima bank has adopted advanced communications protocols and identification mechanisms for your personal data.
For the greater security of your transactions, as of 7.9.2023, an additional third identification step has been added for capital transfers exceeding €1.000 (within Optima bank or to another bank in Greece or abroad), implementing the new legal framework (i.e. the amended one, based on Article 22 of L. 5019/2023, Article 74 of L. 4537/2018).
More specifically, to complete your transactions, you will receive an additional one-time password (OTP) in your certified email.
The identification factors in our digital channels are:
- username & password, verified through biometric characteristics (e.g. fingerprint)
- one-time password (OTP) received through Viber / SMS or push notification, through which you approve your transactions
- one-time password (OTP) received in your certified e-mail
Furthermore, particularly for fund transfers, a new function provided through our digital channels, is the activation/deactivation of fund transfers to banks abroad, an option you now have directly through Optima e-banking and the Optima mobile app.
Personal e-banking passwords
For your security, the system requires you to change your password every 6 months. However, you may change your password as often as you want.
In addition, in order to access your e-banking easier, you have the option to set up your own user ID.
With the aim to provide you with more security, a one-time password (OTP) is requested and sent to your mobile phone upon every connection to Optima's e-banking system from a new browser or IP address. If you wish, you can save the devices you frequently use for logging in, so that you do not have to fill in a one-time password every time. For each connection from a new browser or IP address, an e-mail is also sent to you, so that if the connection was not initiated by you, you can contact us and we can block the device and anyone who attempts to connect from it.
🔒 Recovery of login details for Optima e-banking & the Optima mobile app
Recovering your user ID and creating a new password is now even easier and faster, ensuring optimum security!
If you’ve forgotten any login details, select the forgotten element from the login screen.
In case you forgot your user ID, you will need your:
- card number (for individuals)
- mobile and e-mail registered with our bank.
If you forgot your password, you will need:
- the mobile phone and e-mail registered with our bank.
In both cases, enter the one-time password you received on your mobile and e-mail in the respective fields, and the process will be completed.
If you haven't provided a mobile number or don't have a card, you can contact us at +30 210 8173000 or visit the Optima bank branch that serves you.
For your protection, we block e-banking credentials if they are incorrectly entered multiple consecutive times.
Kill switch
Through the Kill switch feature, if you believe that you have fallen victim to fraud or that your login data for Optima e-banking and/or the Optima mobile app has been leaked, simply by pressing a button, you can temporarily block:
- your access to the digital channels
- your debit and credit cards
- your ΑΤΜ transactions.
How is the Kill switch activated?
By connecting to our digital channels, you can easily and quickly find and activate the Kill switch feature by choosing: Settings > Kill switch > Temporary lock.
By activating the feauture
The standing orders in your accounts will be executed normally.
The standing orders in your debit and credit cards, will not be executed while the Kill switch is activated.
Fund transfers, that have not been executed, will remain pending until it is verified that they have been executed by you.
To regain access to your digital channels and cards, you can contact us at +30 210 8173000 or visit the branch that serves you. Before activating the Kill switch, it is advisable to ensure that something suspicious is indeed happening with your account.
Change in the daily limit for money transfers to third parties
With the new feature provided to you by Optima e-banking and the Optima mobile app, you have additional control of your transactions since you can now change the daily limit of money transfers to third parties. Optimum safety and flexibility!
How does that benefit you?
By setting a low daily limit for money transfers to third parties so as to cover your daily transactional needs, the security of your online transactions is strengthened.
You can now increase or decrease your daily limit for money transfers effortlessly, with the following steps:
Optima mobile app: Profile > Settings > Manage transfers > Change daily transfer limit
Optima e-banking: Settings > Manage transfers > Change daily transfer limit
Data protection
Your personal data is important! To maintain the security of your data, we use the following methods.
Secure pages
To protect your data, our online identity is certified by an independent third-party certification provider (Trusted Third Party).
Encryption
Optima bank provides you with a secure online environment on all of its e-banking pages, i.e. the page address is converted from http:// to https:// and the paddle lock icon also appears at the beginning of the address. Before entering your credentials, please make sure of the above. Your data is also protected by the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol with 256-bit encryption. With this encryption it is almost impossible to hack the messages from the browser to the Optima bank's server.
Firewall
Alongside encryption, access to Optima bank systems is protected by firewall technology, which blocks the use of specific services and prohibits unidentified users from accessing confidential bank data and information.
Transaction approval with push notifications
As an additional measure for your security, when you are about to make any transaction (e.g. online purchases, transfers to other accounts etc.) you will have to approve it. Before checking out, you will receive a push notification on your mobile phone to approve the transaction. You can then simply tap on your mobile's screen to approve the transaction and you are done. Alternatively, you can request a one-time password (OTP), which is sent through Viber or text message (SMS). This code has a short validity period and can only be used for a single transaction. In your next transaction, you will need to request a new one-time password.
e-commerce transactions with cards
Make your online purchases at e-shops securely and promptly using your debit and credit cards.
Benefits:
- Shop online at e-shops in Greece and abroad
- Rest assured thanks to the state-of-the-art security requirements
- Ensure strong identification while shopping online
Ensure optimum security for your online purchases with 3D secure, provided that the merchant supports the same security requirements. Before checking out, you will receive a push notification on your mobile phone to approve the transaction. Simply tap on your mobile screen to approve the transaction and you are done!
How to approve transactions via push notifications:
All you need is to download the Optima mobile app and keep push notifications activated.
If you are not using the push notifications service, at the check-out stage, enter your password and the additional one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile.
See more about strong authentication in online shopping here.
What is strong authentication
Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) aims to further enhance the security of online transactions.
With strong identification, you are prompted to approve the transaction through additional identification.
If you have the Optima mobile app installed and have activated push notifications, you can approve your transaction conveniently and securely, receiving a notification directly on your mobile or tablet.
Alternatively, if you have not activated push notifications, you can confirm your transaction by entering your password and the one-time password sent to your mobile.
How do online purchases with strong authentication work
Step 1
When completing your online purchase, enter your Optima bank card details.
Step 2
You will receive a push notification on your mobile or tablet with your transaction details.
Step 3
You can instantly confirm your transaction with a tap! Conveniently, fast and securely!
If you have not enabled push notifications:
You will confirm your online purchase entering your password and the one-time password sent to your mobile.
For your first online purchase, in the password field, enter the password that the bank has sent you. Then, set the password you prefer to use for this card in your next online purchases.
In the event you believe that you have been a victim of fraud or have spotted some suspicious transaction:
You can immediately, simply by pressing a button, temporarily block your access to the digital channels with the Kill switch feature or contact us directly at 2108173000.
We would like to remind you that for your own security, it is important not to click on links and never answer messages you receive by e-mail, phone, social media and/or other means of communication that ask you for personal information such as your username/password for e-banking or one time passwords (OTP).
Our bank would never and by no means ask you for such information.
Let’s talk
Can we help you? Do you have any questions?