What is PassMark?
The PassMark security feature is an additional layer of identity verification for signing on to Online Banking. To further ensure the safety of your information, in October 2006 North Island Credit Union became one of the first financial institutions to implement PassMark and go beyond a simple, one-factor, login-and-password scheme.
PassMark protects you from identity theft and fraud in 2 ways:
- You know it's really us — when you see your PassMark image and phrase, you will know you're at our valid Online Banking website. Only enter your Password when you see the PassMark image and phrase you selected.
- We know it's really you — we display your PassMark when we recognize you as the true owner of your account. If you don't sign on from the computer you told us to recognize, we'll ask a challenge question.
Your PassMark consists of 3 parts:
- A unique image you choose
- Your phrase — the unique phrase you create to accompany your PassMark image
- 3 challenge questions only you know the answers to - we'll ask them if you don't sign on from the computer you told us to recognize
How It Works
When you sign on, we attempt to recognize your computer as one you've used before to access Online Banking. You'll find the choice to remember the computer when you enroll, or when you sign on from a computer we don't recognize. We use a variety of methods to recognize the computers that you use to ensure your safety and protection.
Keep in mind that you can always choose to have us remember more than one computer if you often access Online Banking from multiple computers.
If you sign on from a computer we don't recognize, we won't display your PassMark image and phrase right away. First we'll ask one of your challenge questions. When you answer correctly, we'll show you your PassMark image and phrase. Only enter your Password when you see the PassMark image and phrase you selected
Sign on with PassMark
Sign on from your computer:
- Enter your Signon ID
- Verify that your PassMark image and phrase are correct
- Confirm by entering your Password
Sign on from a computer we don't recognize:
- Enter your Signon ID
- Correctly answer one of your challenge questions
- Verify that your PassMark image and phrase are correct
- Confirm by entering your Password
Tips & Recommendations
Minimize the number of different computers you use for Online Banking; in particular, avoid the use of public computers, such as those at an airport kiosk or Internet café, whenever possible. If you must use a public computer, check to see that the cookies are automatically cleared on that computer when the browser session is terminated, and always close your browser when you are finished. For more information, visit the Secure Transactions educational course from our security partner Digital Defense, Inc. When selecting your PassMark image, consider personalizing PassMark by uploading your own image. A custom image may be easier to recognize and nearly impossible for an unauthorized third party to duplicate. When selecting your PassMark phrase, do not use your Password, PIN, or answers to your challenge questions.
See Also