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Enrichment Federal Credit Union ramps up mobile app security

(March 5, 2014) — While the financial industry has been buzzing over news of the potential security vulnerabilities associated with mobile banking apps, Enrichment Federal Credit Union, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has presented its members with state-of-the-art mobile app security created by Snoopwall president and founder Gary S. Miliefsky and customized and made available exclusively to credit unions through CU Mobile Apps and its technology partner, Metova.

“Our credit union is very proactive when it comes to our members’ security,” says Katy Jett, AVP Marketing for Enrichment. “Whether they come in the door, call on the phone, or bank from home, certain security features are mandated by the government.  But we have been concerned by the serious ‘security gap’ relative to smart phone use, which can allow different spywares and malwares to enter the phone and gain information.”

She points to nationally-reported cases of security breaches where information has been accessed through the phone’s microphone or camera.

Concerns for member security prompted Enrichment to research all options available to them in this area. “To our knowledge,” says Jett, “CU Mobile Apps has the only app that can provide this level of protection for the credit unions in their system.”

According to its developer, the new Snoopwall blocking technology was designed to take over where typical firewall and antivirus software fail to detect malware, providing secure protection for computer, tablet, and smartphone users.

“Snoopwall acts as a gatekeeper for access to high-risk dataports,” explains Miliefsky, “including your webcam and microphone, which are susceptible to being infected with malicious code used by cyber intruders. The program will alert users in real time of existing high-risk programs and applications, and block new ones from embedding malware on your device.  By detecting and blocking malware, Snoopwall is your best defense for preventing personal information from getting into the hands of identity thieves and cyber snoops.”

Metova, a respected developer of mobile apps for the U.S. military and other institutions and agencies for whom security is paramount, built the Snoopwall® anti-virus software into the mobile app currently in use by all CU Mobile Apps credit union clients, said Tom Gray, managing partner of Member Service Solutions (MSS), the creator of CU Mobile Apps.

“We are pleased and proud to ensure that CU Mobile Apps will be the exclusive provider of the Snoopwall technology for credit unions. Although recent studies indicate that mobile credit union and banking apps are 90% exposed to security breaches, our new embedded ‘Snoopwall Lite’ feature now provides a level of security no other mobile app can offer,” Gray notes. “CU Mobile Apps clients can rest assured that they will not be spied on, listened to, or have their phone camera’s images of sensitive account information accessed by others,” he concluded.

Jett reports that Enrichment began offering the “enriched” security app to its members at no cost in February, and it has been well received. “It’s just one more way we strive to protect our members from fraud, scams, and internet threats. You can set up the app so that you get a warning, or so that it automatically blocks anything from coming in. The Snoopwall Lite feature can also be expanded to full coverage if a member chooses to protect their entire phone, as well as our Enrichment app,” she points out.

In its traditional role as an early adopter of progressive technologies, Tennessee-based Enrichment Federal Credit Union led the way three years ago by offering its members the first highly customizable mobile app, and plans to continue providing its members with new opportunities and advantages, says Jett.

She mentions plans to add remote deposit capability that would allow account holders to deposit a check electronically simply by taking a photograph of the front and back of the check with their smartphone and transmitting the images; the deposit will be credited to their account within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the time of submission, she explains.

“It saves a member time and gas money—and offers the convenience of quick access to the funds through your account if you are traveling, on vacation, or away at college, for example.”

Enrichment is reaching out not only to its current members, she points out. About 5,000 people have already downloaded the recently upgraded app format, some of them non-members interested in learning more about Enrichment’s locations and services, accounts, and rates.

Although most financial apps can’t be downloaded from the app stores without a user name or account number and password, says Jett, the Snoopwall-protected CU Mobile App allows non-members to access the information within our app.

“They can see our loan rates and apply for a loan right there on the app, without even being a member,” she notes. “Membership applications can also be submitted and accepted through the app.”

For more information about Enrichment FCU, visit www.enrichmentfcu.org  or call 1-800-482-0049.

CU Mobile Apps is available through Member Service Solutions, LLC, a respected provider of insurance and financial solutions for credit unions and financial institutions. Additional information is available at www.cumobileapps.com and www.memberservicesolutions.com , or by calling (800) 537-9035, Ext. 105.


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