More people are opting to bank online. Banking online is convenient because you can quickly access your financial information from your phone or computer.
You can also deposit money or transfer funds with mobile banking. However, the internet makes it easier for your personal information to be stolen. That is why it is important to take the steps that are necessary for keeping everything safe.
Make Sure Websites are Secure
Your bank is responsible for making sure that their website is safe. A website should have strong encryption to protect your information. It should also block you from visiting the website if your website does not meet the current security standards.
You should make sure that your bank implements the proper security measures before you decide to bank online.
Similarly, when entering your credit card information on a third-party site or conducting an online wire transfer, you’ll want to make sure you see the green padlock next to the “https” in the URL bar. This tells you all information entered onto that website is encrypted and secure.
Avoid Public WiFi When Banking
Public Wi-Fi has made life more convenient in many ways. You can access internet from almost anywhere. However, there are some things that you should not do on public Wi-FI. That includes banking. Everything thing that you access on public Wi-Fi can be viewed by a third party.
That is why you should use your private home WiFi to access your banking information. If you have to access your bank information while you are away from home, then you should use your mobile data. You can also set up a virtual private network.
Use Strong Passwords
It will be a lot harder for thieves to get your personal information if you have a strong password. That is why it is a good idea to use a password that has a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
If you have multiple banks, then you should not use the same passwords. You can use a password manager app if you have trouble remembering your passwords.
Use Anti-Virus Software
One of the best things that you can do to keep your information secure is to use anti-virus software. You will need to have the proper antivirus software on your computer or mobile phone.
Never Give Out Banking Info
This may seem like it is a common sense practice. However, it is one of the best things that you can do to keep your banking information secure. There are many fake websites that pose as real banking websites. Many people fall for this trap and end up giving out their personal information.
Your bank will never ask for your personal information via email. Do not respond to any emails that you get even if it seems legitimate.
Sign Up for Text Alerts
Most banks allow you to sign up for alerts when a transaction is made on your account. If your bank gives you the option of doing this, then you should definitely consider taking advantage of this. You will immediately be notified if a fraudulent or unrecognizable transaction is made on your account.
It will also inform you when your account is accessed from a different device, allowing you to catch onto suspicious activity before it manifests.
Secure mobile and online banking begins with caution about where and how you access your account. While unprecedented incidents, like company data breaches, cannot be prevented by you, they can be prepared for. Make sure to change your banking passwords regularly, and you should be less likely to fall victim to these attacks.