Privacy and security /

Online security

How secure is your website?

It is impossible to guarantee that any website is completely secure. However we have made every effort to secure our website and any data that we collect. We use many layers of security - for obvious reasons we cannot disclose all of them, but they include:

How do I know that transactions over the internet are safe?

Your personal information is encrypted to ensure no one else can read it before it leaves your computer. The encryption used is 128 bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. This is the best available at time of writing, and the current industry standard. You can recognise when SSL is in operation if the security icon (the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol) is shown in your lower right hand corner of your browser window and the beginning of our website address changes from ‘http’ to ‘https’. Depending on your browser setting, a pop-up window may appear to notify you that you will be entering a secure page.

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Is the security recognised by any standards body?

The certificates used on this site have been issued by a recognised security certificate vendor, Verisign. In order to receive the certificate several key company credentials are verified. If your browser isn't set to recognise Verisign certificates, it may prevent you from accessing the NS&I website. To check whether your browser supports them visit the Verisign website at: 
www.verisign.com/support/index.html

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Email security

NS&I will not give out personal information via e-mail but we may call or write to you in response to email queries.

Online banks in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada have recently been targeted by fraud which uses fake e-mails to encourage customers to enter security or financial details into a counterfeit website. NS&I will never send you an e-mail asking for personal or security details. If you are ever concerned about any communications that are or seem to be from NS&I, please immediately contact us.

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Do you send cookies to my PC?

Yes, this site uses both permanent and session cookies. Please see our privacy policy for an explanation of our use of cookies

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Your online security

Personal computers are becoming an important part of daily life. They can contain valuable and sometimes irreplaceable information. It is therefore important that you protect your PC and the information it may hold.

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What you can do to protect yourself

Use a computer that you know is secure. Be particularly wary of making a transaction using internet cafes, public or shared computers.

Protect your own computer – install up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall. It is essential to regularly download updates from the supplier. Failure to do so may leave your equipment vulnerable.

Keep your web browser up to date. From time to time vulnerabilities are discovered in web browsers; however these can be eliminated by regularly downloading security updates supplied by the software developer.

Keep PINs, passwords and personal information safe – always be wary of emails asking you to click on a link or confirm your details. NS&I will never ask you to disclose or confirm sensitive personal or security information, including your PIN. If in doubt, contact us.

Never send sensitive information by email

Print out a record of any transaction you make. The transaction reference will help us if you subsequently have any difficulties.

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More information

The government and leading businesses sponsor the Get Safe Online website. Get Safe Online offers expert advice to help you protect yourself against internet threats.

The Association for Payment Clearing Services, of which NS&I is a member, has created www.banksafeonline.org.uk to give more information about online banking and security.

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Queries and feedback

If you have any other questions or feedback about security or how we protect your data, please contact us.

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