How we keep Sharesies safe How we keep Sharesies safe

Security is for everyone

We might not like to think about it, but cybercriminals are out there, and they tend to go where the money is. That makes banking and investment platforms popular targets for hackers and scammers. We make it our priority to stay ahead of security risks. Cybersecurity might seem pretty technical, but for us, it’s all about people.

We reckon everyone deserves a secure place to grow their wealth. As a Sharesies investor, we want you to be protected no matter how much you’ve invested, how savvy you are to the latest scams, or how fancy your phone is. Everyone’s security needs are different, so we spend time thinking about things that could go wrong and put measures in place to protect you.

Layers of protection

Cybersecurity would be easier if there was a switch we could flip to make things ‘secure’. But in reality, top-notch security requires layers of protection—some technical, some not—that work together to reduce risks.

These examples are a small part of what forms a robust Sharesies security net:

• we anticipate and try to prevent known security threats by shielding our servers against denial-of-service and day-to-day stuff like keeping all our software patched

• we do things to minimise the impact of disruptions and security events, like keeping plenty of backups

• we have both manual and automated systems to catch suspicious activity and shut it down.

And because security folk are a paranoid bunch, we constantly poke, prod, and test our protective measures to make sure they’re working as intended.

Most of this stuff happens in the background, but if you’re curious, you can learn more about it in our help centre. 

Your security checklist 

We also have some tips to help you keep the security of your Sharesies account up to scratch.

• Use a password that's long, hard to guess, and most importantly, one you haven't used anywhere else.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)—2FA makes it much harder for people to get into your account, even if they get your password.

• Enable face or fingerprint recognition, or a PIN, on the mobile app—it also means you won’t have to enter your password and 2FA codes as often—win-win!

• Don’t share your password with others—sadly, account breaches can come from someone you know and trust.

• Keep your personal details up-to-date so you’re alerted about account activity that could be suspicious.

• Be mindful of scams asking for your login info or offering unsolicited investment advice, especially on social media—check that any comms from Sharesies are from our official social media accounts or emails.

Wrap up

The tips above work together with our efforts behind the scenes to form a strong network of protections that help to increase your account's security. We’ll continue to work hard to make Sharesies a reliable and lovable place to invest for everyone.  

Have questions or concerns? Let us know at help@sharesies.co.nz. We're always happy to help.