We’re Taking Internet Security to a Higher Level!

Today, technology changes rapidly with the almost daily introduction of new advances in Internet account access services. Northrop Grumman Federal Credit Union makes every effort to implement the most sophisticated financial tools available to insure a secure environment for our Internet-savvy members.

That’s why we are pleased to announce that, coming early in 2007, we will be upgrading the_Max! eBranch to include a new Advanced Authentication security feature.

the_Max! eBranch is Being Upgraded!

The features and functions within the_Max! eBranch will remain the same, however, the way you login will be a little different. Your new login will include:

A secret image and caption: When you first logon to the_Max! eBranch with this new security feature, you will select your own secret image and set-up an image caption. Thereafter, you will know you are on the Credit Union's website when you see your image and image caption displayed before you are asked to enter your password.

Multi-Layer Security: This new authentication method allows the security system to authenticate your computer in order to ensure that the sign-in is not a fraudulent attempt to access your account information.

Challenge Questions: In addition, upon your first login, you will be asked to setup several challenge questions that will be used for verification purposes if the security system does not recognize your computer.

The new security feature makes securing your sign-in simple: After you’ve set it up, remember to never enter personal information, such as your password, without first seeing your personal security image.

View the Quick Reference Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.

If you still can’t find answers to your questions, please call 1-800-633-2848. Call Center representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Advanced Authentication?

Advanced Authentication Security provides additional security for the_Max! eBranch. As a standard part of the_Max! eBranch, it will act as an important element in fulfilling our commitment to protect you against identity theft and fraud. Advanced Authentication prevents unauthorized access to your accounts and reinforces the fact that you are at a valid website.

2. What does Advanced Authentication consist of?

Advanced Authentication consists of the following: an image, a caption and several challenge questions. This information is known only to you and protects you whether you are logging into your accounts from your own computer or from somewhere else.
         
3. How does Advanced Authentication work?

Once you enter your Login ID (Account Number) on your computer and click the ‘Submit’ link, your image will be displayed along with the caption. This verifies that you are at the Northrop Grumman FCU the_Max! eBranch website and you are safe to enter your Password and access your information. If you are logging in from a different computer, one or more challenge questions will be asked to verify your identity. Once you provide the correct answer(s), your image and caption will be displayed. You should verify that the image presented is your image and then you may enter your password to proceed.

4. Will I need to change my password?

No. Your Password remains the same.

5. How is Advanced Authentication more secure?

Advanced Authentication confirms that you are at the Northrop Grumman FCU the_Max! eBranch website before you enter your password. Further identification is carried out either by the recognition of your computer or by the system asking you a challenge question.

6. If I lose my password, how will the Advanced Authentication security system prevent an unauthorized person from accessing my account?

If an unauthorized person attempts to sign in from another computer, the system will recognize that a different computer is being used, and will ask one of your challenge questions. The unauthorized user will not know the answer to the challenge question and will be unable to login to your account.

7. Why do I need to set up challenge questions?

Challenge questions and answers provide information known only to you. They are an additional deterrent to unauthorized users attempting to access your account information on the_Max! eBranch. Even if an unauthorized user acquired your Login ID and Password, that person would not know the answer to your challenge question and would not be allowed to access your account.

8. What keeps somebody from stealing my Advanced Authentication security image and caption?

This information is only displayed once you click the ‘Submit’ link to sign in from a known computer. If you attempt to sign in from another computer, the system will ask one of your challenge questions before it displays the image.

9. When I enter my Login ID (Account Number), it asks me a question instead of showing my image. Why?

The system asks you a challenge question to help verify that it's really you signing in. A challenge question is asked when you're signing in from an unrecognized computer. Your correct answer confirms that it's really you.

10. How do I sign up for Advanced Authentication?

Signing up for and using Advanced Authentication is quick and easy. You simply choose an image, caption, and several challenge questions. If you are enrolling in the_Max! eBranch, you will be prompted to set up Advanced Authentication as part of the enrollment process. If you are already enrolled in the_Max! , when Advanced Authentication is implemented and you attempt to sign in you will be prompted to set up your Advanced Authentication security image, caption and several challenge questions.