How safe is Internet banking?

Encryption helps provide a secure channel for data transmission to keep information private between the bank's computer system and your Internet browser.

So is it safe to enter my Password online? Yes. Thanks to 128-bit encryption, sending and receiving information online is reliable. Encryption helps keep information private (such as your Password or the transactions you perform) between the bank's computer and your Internet browser.

Please note you should not use the functionality on your computer or browser that allows your security details to be saved on the screen, as this would potentially compromise their confidentiality.

Codes forgotten?

If you have forgotten all your security details, you can call the bank hotline. However, if you know your Username but need to reset your Memorable Answer and/or Password you can follow the online reset function, accessible from the Internet Banking logon page.

Alternatively, You can also change your Memorable Answer or Password online at any time by clicking on 'Change memorable question & answer' or"Change internet banking password" from the Services option in our Internet Banking site.

For your protection, memorise your Username, Memorable Answer and Password and do not write them down. Choose a Password that would be difficult to guess by someone unauthorised to access your financial information. If you think someone knows your Password you must change it immediately

What are cookies?

A cookie is a text file that resides on your computer. When you access our site, we will ask you to accept this text file so that we can identify your computer each time you log in.

HSBC use cookies to check, for example, whether or not you have accepted our terms and conditions. More generally, cookies give us information about your browser preferences and security requirements, which we then use to improve our service to you.

If your browser prompts you when a cookie is "served," you must accept it or the access to confidential information will be denied. Since cookies are specific to each website that you visit, only HSBC can access, decode and make use of the information.

What if pages expire?

For additional security, page expiry occurs to prevent the pages from being stored in your browser's memory. This means that if you access Internet Banking from a shared computer, other users will not be able to access your account information from your browser's history files. This feature is meant to secure the confidentiality of your accounts.

Internet banking is accessed through a "secured" Internet site, which helps ensure your financial information remains private and secure. You will know you are at a secured site when you see the https:// in the address field on your browser and the padlock symbol at the bottom of your screen.