why does bnh use cookies for online banking? · 2019-05-21 · bnh browser cookie guidelines –...

BNH Browser Cookie Guidelines – May 2019

Why does BNH use cookies for online banking?

One of the biggest challenges in today’s online banking landscape is ensuring that the Login ID and password to access a customer’s bank account(s) genuinely being used by the customer that owns the accounts! Mal-ware, spy-ware, and other malicious code have become so common and so sophisticated, that many computers have been compromised without their users even knowing that it has happened. As a result, user credentials (such as your online banking Login ID and password) may be very easy to steal. The nature of today’s Internet means that neither you nor your bank can allow just an ID and a password to grant access to your sensitive personal and financial information!

The use of special “cookies” is the most common way that a banking systems can uniquely ‘remember’ (or register) the device or computer that you normally use to access your accounts. Whenever you connect to online banking, it uses these encoded cookies to verify that this is one of the registered computers that you use for access. If that cookie is not present, then the system understands that there is a greater risk that your credentials may be under the control of someone other than you and it begins

the process of sending you a one-time validation code (to your phone number, mobile device, or e-mail account) to ensure that it’s really you.

The newest browser technology, however, also includes privacy options which make it harder for your Internet activity to be tracked by data broker coding which exists on many news, shopping, and search websites. One of the common ways to do this is to delete all cookies when you close your browser. This indiscriminate cookie purging process will also remove the special online banking cookies (and other Internet sites for which you may wish to preserve your browser’s digital identity). The solution for most customers is to ‘whitelist’ their favorite sites so that the cookies related to these sites are preserved.

We have provided instructions on the following pages for the commonly used browser versions demonstrating how to set up your computer to whitelist the BNH online banking system. This will enable you to have your computer* recognized and not have to repeatedly authenticate your Login ID and password with the one-time validation code.

* You may register up to six devices for online/mobile banking.


Is Your Web Browser Safe?

Web browsers enable you to view content online. Outdated browsers pose a risk to you as they are less stable and vulnerable to viruses, spyware, malware, and other security issues. In order to utilize certain Bank of New Hampshire products & services online, we require you to use a current version of one of the following web browsers. Upgrading your browser is quick, easy, and free.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 (PC Only) – Limited Support

Microsoft Edge (PC Only) – Current version plus the previous two versions

Mozilla Firefox (PC & Mac) – Current version plus the previous two versions

Google Chrome (PC & Mac) – Current version plus the previous two versions

Safari (Mac Users Only) – Current version plus the previous two versions

Browser Instructions:

Internet Explorer 11 ……………….….…. 3

Microsoft Edge ……………………………… 6

Firefox ……………………………………….…. 8

Google Chrome …………………………….. 10

Safari ……………………………………………. 13


If the system does not recognize your device although you have registered it as a “Personal Computer”, the cookie necessary for recognizing your device is being deleted. This is typically caused when the browser is set to automatically delete cookies when the browser is closed or you may manually delete your cookies from time to time. There is a way to preserve the BNH cookie in Internet Explorer 11 (IE11).

Preserving BNH Cookie

1. From the browser menu click “Tools” or click the icon and then “Internet Options”.

2. From the browser menu click “Tools” and “Internet Options”. 3. Under the “General” tab, go to the “Browsing History” section and click “Delete”. 4. Ensure that the “Preserve Favorite Website Data” box is checked. This box must be checked to preserve the

cookie.

5. When finished, click the “Cancel” button. 6. Now begin the process of logging into Online Banking. Enter your Access ID and click “Go”.

http://windows7themes.net/view-image/pics/browsing-history-settings.jpg.24133.html


7. The next screen requests your Password. Place this page into your Favorites (Bookmark). Doing so will preserve our cookie from getting deleted when you clean out your cookies.

8. Continue the login process. 9. If prompted, register the computer (if it is your personal or work computer). The next time you log in, the

system should not prompt for a Secure Access Code. eStatements and Bill Pay If you are having an issue with viewing eStatements or Bill Pay, try the following troubleshooting steps. 1. From the browser menu click “Tools” and “Internet Options”. 2. Click on the click “Privacy” tab and then the "Advanced" button. 3. Ensure that "Override automatic cookie handling" and "Always allow

session cookies" are checked. 4. Also ensure the first and third party cookies are both accept. 5. Click "OK" 6. If you have the “Turn on Pop-up Blocker” checked, click on the “Settings”

button. 7. In the “Address of Web site to allow” text box, enter the following

addresses: https://*.onlineaccess1.com – click Add https://www.billpaysite.com – click Add https://secure10.onlineaccess1.com – click Add

8. Next click the “Close” button.

9. If the you are still having an issue, you can also add the three addresses above to your trusted sites by:

a. Clicking the “Security” tab b. Click the green checkmark labeled “Trusted Sites” c. Click on the “Sites” button and add the three addresses above. d. Click “Close” when finished.

Additional Steps You should also make sure that your privacy settings are not blocking cookies. To do so:

e. On the “Internet Options” window, click the “Privacy” tab. f. Make sure that the slider is not set to “High”. This will block all cookies.


You may also add our sites to an exception list. To do so: g. Click the “Sites” button under the Privacy tab. to show the “Per Site Privacy Actions” window. h. In the “Address of website” box, type the following:

https://*.onlineaccess1.com – click Allow https://www.billpaysite.com – click Allow https://secure10.onlineaccess1.com – click Allow

i. Click OK.

Anti-Virus If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may have anti-virus software like Norton or McAfee on your device that is overriding the browser settings and deleting the cookie. Most anti-virus software allows you to disable this feature. Please refer to the help guide for the software you utilize.


If the system does not recognize your device although you have registered it as a “Personal Computer”, the cookie necessary for recognizing your device is being deleted. Microsoft Edge does not offer the same cookie management options as Internet Explorer. This seems to have helped the issue with the Online Banking cookie not being retained by the device. Blocking all cookies could impact the ease to which you access the system. To confirm your cookie setting, navigate to the Advanced Settings within Edge.


If the system does not recognize your device although you have registered it as a “Personal Computer”, the cookie necessary for recognizing your device is being deleted. This is typically caused when the browser is set to automatically delete cookies when the browser is closed or you may manually delete your cookies from time to time.

1. Click on “Tools” and go to “Options” or click the icon on the top right corner and the “Options”. MAC users will need

to select “Firefox” from the tool bar to locate “Options”. 2. Navigate to the Privacy tab.

3. Under ‘History’ – make sure that: a) “Firefox will” has “Use custom settings for history” selected. b) “Always use private browsing mode” cannot be checked. If it is on, the BNH cookie will not be retained. c) “Accept cookies from sites” is selected and “Accept third-party cookies” is “Always” with the “Keep until:

they expire” option.

4. Preserving BNH Cookie: If the user does not wish to “Accept cookies from sites”, the follow addresses must be added to the exception list. Click the “Exceptions” button and enter the following in the “Address of website” field:

a) https://*.onlineaccess1.com/ then click “Allow” b) https://secure10.onlineaccess1.com/ then click “Allow” c) https://www.billpaysite.com then click “Allow” d) Click the “Close” button.

5. The “Clear history when Firefox closes” should not be checked as it will always delete the BNH cookie. This will prompt a One-Time Authorization Code each time a user logs into Online Banking.

Important Note: Rather than deleting cookies, a user can disable the “Accept cookies from sites” option. They could then use the “Exceptions” button to add sites, essentially creating a “white list” of approved sites.


eStatements and Bill Pay If you are having an issue with viewing eStatements or Bill Pay, try the following troubleshooting steps.

1. Under the “Content” icon, if “Block pop-up windows” is checked, click the “Exceptions” button to the right and enter

the following addresses and click “allow”. https://*.onlineaccess1.com https://www.billpaysite.com https://secure10.onlineaccess1.com https://www.banknh.com

2. Next click the “Close” button.

Anti-Virus If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may have anti-virus software like Norton or McAfee on your device that is overriding the browser settings and deleting the cookie. Most anti-virus software allows you to disable this feature. Please refer to the help guide for the software you utilize.


If the system does not recognize your device although you have registered it as a “Personal Computer”, the cookie necessary for recognizing your device is being deleted. This is typically caused when the browser is set to automatically delete cookies when the browser is closed or you may manually delete your cookies from time to time.

Preserving BNH Cookie: If the customer cleans out cookies, the BNH cookie will be deleted. To preserve it, follow the instructions below."

1. Click the menu icon on the top right and then “Settings”.

2. On the bottom of the page, click the “Show Advanced Settings” link.

3. Under the “Privacy” section, click the “Content Settings” button.


4. Under “Cookies” click the “Manage Exceptions” button.

5. Within the “Cookie and Site Data Exceptions” area add the following addresses:

a. https://secure10.onlineaccess1.com - select “Allow” and then Done.

6. If you are a Bill Pay user, also add the following: a. https://www.billpaysite.com – select “Allow” and then Done.



1. Click the Chrome configuration wrench drop down menu from your tool bar, then on “Settings”.

2. Click on the “Show advanced settings” at the bottom of the screen. 3. Under the privacy section, click on “Content Settings”.

a. Under “Cookies” – Allow local data to be set or following the manage exceptions instructions below. b. Under “Images” – Show all images or following the manage exceptions instructions below. c. Under JavaScript – Allow all sites to run JavaScript or following the manage exceptions instructions below. d. Under Plug-ins – Run Automatically or following the manage exceptions instructions below. e. Under Pop-Ups –

o Select “Allow all sites to show pop-ups” or o Follow the manage exceptions instructions that follow.

f. Manage Pop-Up Exceptions - For those who wish to manually manage their settings, click the “Manage Exceptions” button. The sites below need to be added to the “Pop-up Exceptions” list. Click the “Enter” button after each entry.

o https://www.BankNH.com o https://onlineaccess1.com o https://secure10.onlineaccess1.com o https://www.billpaysite.com

g. Click “Done”. Anti-Virus If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may have anti-virus software like Norton or McAfee on your device that is overriding the browser settings and deleting the cookie. Most anti-virus software allows you to disable this feature. Please refer to the help guide for the software you utilize.


If the system does not recognize your device although you have registered it as a “Personal Computer”, the cookie necessary for recognizing your device is being deleted. This is typically caused when the browser is set to automatically delete cookies when the browser is closed or you may manually delete your cookies from time to time. Preserving BNH Cookie

If a user chooses to delete cookies, a One-Time Authorization Code will be necessary each time the user logs into Online Banking. Safari does not have the option to “white list” a site so that a specific cookie can be retained. Apple does however offer “Extensions” which can be added to the Safari browser and gives the ability to white list cookies. (fees may apply)


1. On a MAC, click the Safari drop down menu from your tool bar, and select “Preferences”.

2. Click on the “Security” tab.

3. Under the “Security” tab ensure that:

o “Enable JavaScript” is checked. o “Block pop-up windows” is NOT checked. o “Allow Plug-ins” is checked.


4. Under the “Privacy” tab where is says “Cookies and website data”, ensure that “Always block” is NOT selected. Using this setting will block the necessary session cookie used during login.

5. Close the box.

Additional Troubleshooting Options If you continue to be prompted to register your device each time you log into Online Banking, you could have one of the following issues: 1. Damaged Cookie

The Online Banking cookie may have become damaged. a. Move the mouse to the top of the screen until the top menu displays. b. Click “Safari” and then select “Preferences”

c. Click on the “Privacy” tab.


d. Click the “Remove All Website Data” button. e. Confirm deleting the cookies by clicking “Remove Now”. f. Exit Safari and start a new browser session. You will have to get a new code and register your device one more

time. g. Once in, log off and log back in to confirm the new cookie works.

Note: If you do not want to delete all of you cookies, you can attempt to delete the specific cookie that may be damaged however this does not always work. To delete the specific cookie: From the “Privacy” tab click the details box. Depending on how many cookies are in there, the box may take a moment to display.

1. The Online Banking cookies is called “onlineaccess1.com” 2. Once found, click on it and click the “Remove” button. 3. Click “Done”

2. Anti-Virus

You may have anti-virus software like Norton or McAfee on your device that is overriding the browser settings and deleting the cookie. Most anti-virus software allows you to disable this feature. Please refer to the help guide for the software you utilize.

why does bnh use cookies for online banking? · 2019-05-21 · bnh browser cookie guidelines –...

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