Skip Navigation Documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher to view,download Adobe® Acrobat Reader.
FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
First State Bank and Trust Co.
Search LOGIN
LOGIN

Personal Online Security Tips

Online Security

First State Bank &Trust Co., Inc. is dedicated to protecting your personal information. Listed below are several ways we keep your sensitive information safe and your online banking transactions secure. We have also included some tips to help you have a safer online transaction experience, whether it is using your FSBT online banking any other website that uses your sensitive personal information.

Online Banking Security

Encrypted Information – Any email sent to us through online banking is encrypted and requires a “key” to decode the information to be reviewed. When we respond, we encrypt this information that is then decoded by the FSBT online banking when you receive it.

Password Security – If you fail to enter the correct password after three attempts, you will be locked out of your online banking. This feature is designed to keep unauthorized persons out of your online banking account. If you have forgotten your password, please call us at (800) 877-3728 for assistance.

Because online banking security relies on password protection, it is VITAL that you keep your ID and PIN confidential. We recommend that you
  • Keep your online banking ID and password in a safe and secure place.
  • Don’t reveal your ID or PIN to anyone else, including family members.
  • Change your online banking Alias name and password periodically for extra security.
  • Don’t walk away from your computer or visit other sites without exiting completely out of your browser.
  • Turn off the autocomplete option that allows your browser to save usernames and passwords.

Multifactor Authentication – When you access online banking for the first time, you will be asked to select a watermark image. This image will tell you that you are logging on to our secure site. Every time you log on online banking after that, regardless of your location or device, you will see this image. If you see another image instead of the one you selected, check to make sure you are entering your correct information (e.g. is your caps lock on). If you are entering your correct information, and the image still does not match, STOP what you are doing and log out. Call us at (800) 877-3728 immediately.

New online banking users – After a brief monitoring period, it will ask you to set up a series of authentication questions. You may be asked to answer these questions from time to time if you are banking from a new location or if the activity you complete seems out of the ordinary for you.

Please Note – Our iPhone app will not work until the challenge questions are set up. To use the app right away please contact us at (800) 877-3828.

Automatic Log-Off – If you remain inactive during your online banking session for a period of time, you will be asked to sign back in before you can proceed.


Website Security

Secured Website – When you access online banking, or any page on our bank’s website, the pages are located on a secured server. You will notice all our pages start with https:// - the “s” stands for secure.

In addition, we use Pharming Shield to monitor our website 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pharming Shield detects the widest variety of pharming and identity theft activity, providing protection against website hijacking, website defacement, SSL theft and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Online Applications and Forms – Our online applications and forms are located on secured servers. All the forms and applications are sent via a secure connection. If you are having trouble submitting your online application or form, please call us at (800) 877-3728. Please DO NOT submit your form or application through regular (unsecured) email.

Email – We strongly recommend that you do not include sensitive or personal information through regular email channels. This includes Social Security numbers, account numbers and credit card numbers. This also includes forms or applications with sensitive information. Unsecured email can be intercepted by malicious parties. If you need to give us this information, please call us at (800) 877-3728.

Recommended Browsers

In order to maintain data security in an internet environment, online banking requires the use of a browser with 128-bit encryption technology. Our website works best with Internet Explorer 9 or higher, Safari 5.1.7 or higher, Google Chrome 40 or higher and Firefox 34 or higher. 128-bit encryption must be enabled on these browsers.

For additional data security, if a user takes no action in online banking for 10 minutes, the user will automatically be logged off and asked to sign back in.

PASSWORD TIPS

  1. Try to use a password that you can remember without writing it down. Instead of writing down your password, write down a word or phrase that will remind you of the actual password.
  2. Choose a password that is not too closely associated with yourself. Personal information such as addresses, telephone numbers, family or pet names, and local sports teams are easily guessed, and, therefore, make poor passwords.
  3. Longer passwords are tougher to crack therefore we require passwords 8-12 characters in length. Use a combination of both upper and lower case letters and numbers.
  4. Avoid single dictionary words.
  5. Never enter passwords with someone else looking at your keyboard or screen.
  6. If you even suspect a leak, change your password.

Ideas for creating passwords:
  1. Use combinations of two or more short and unrelated dictionary words, preferably with numbers or other characters mixed in (for example, "CAT$PIE", "BAG3WET"). Or, try replacing letters with similar numbers that you can remember using (replace the letter I with the number 1, or the letter O with the number zero, or the letter b with the number 8, or the letter S with the number 5, for example).
  2. Instead of single dictionary words, use the first or last letters of the words in a familiar phrase, song, or poem
  3. Use every other letter in a phrase, until you have enough letters: "So LiTtLe TiMe, So MuCh To Do" yields "SLTLTMSC".
  4. Use a word with its mirror-image, repeating or dropping letters to achieve the required length. (Examples include: "PIG#GIP#PI", "TRAD-DART", "LOG%GOL".)
First State Bank & Trust Co., Inc. will never spontaneously call, email or text you requesting your username, password, account numbers or other sensitive information. If you receive any unsolicited message claiming to be sent from First State Bank & Trust Co., Inc. or if you are not sure if a message you received was sent from First State Bank & Trust Co., Inc., please do not click on any links or attachments. Instead, call us to verify whether the call, email or text was legitimately from us.

For more information about protecting your personal financial information, please visit

For assistance developing an information security plan for your business, including a recommended annual risk assessment and review of security controls, please visit