Banks and other financial institutions play an important part in everybody’s life. Remember your days when you have to run your errands to the banks. Even the smallest of the job has to be completed in the banks. Now, the time has changed and banks are online. This online banking and mobile banking has come with an ease for the customers and for the bankers. On the other hand, does anyone know that there are certain security measures which are very important to cater to these online banking and mobile banking websites?
Let us take it in details for your clear understanding. Today you see almost everything on mobile including our banks too. There are a lot of activities that are executed on mobile phones with the help of mobile apps and banking applications, but we see there’s a huge risk as well in handling them safely. This figure will help you understand – With over 190 million Americans that shop online and 51% of US adults do their banking online with the mobile and banking applications. Now with these huge numbers, there is a need for online security and safeguarding the bank’s data.
You must have read a lot about scams and phishing attacks on the banking sites that lead to the immense amount of data to be stolen and misused. There are plenty of such scams out there, thus it is very important to watch out before time runs. Due to these security risks, banks and financial institutions have started using highest standard of security like installing EV SSL certificates for protection from hacking, initiating HTTPS feature for secure site seal and many more. This article will take you to steps which can strengthen online banking security, keep reading and please follow them religiously!
Use your device wisely
Whenever using any banking application or any form transaction always try to do it from your own computer or your own mobile. This will help the hackers and intruders to be away from stealing the data. It is recommended to update your system and mobile phones with the latest versions of software available. Also, ensure to update the operating systems on a timely basis.
All the connections shall be secured
This is the base of every online business, and when it comes to banks it becomes quite imperative to secure all your transcations at the right place so that no one can cause any damage to your data. For this firstly, you should check if bank website has installed SSL certificate. The best SSL for the banks is EV SSL certificate which gives secure site seal as a visibility factor of security. To check if your bank’s site is secured or not, check for the HTTPS factor with a green padlock sign in the address bar – if it is HTTPS it is safe and if it isn’t – then your data is not encrypted.
Stay safe from phishing, especially in e-mails
Today with increasing danger of hacking, safety of our websites have been really imperative and a lot of people worry about sending or flashing their information on the internet. No single banks even ask you to give or share your personal information with the banks. Thus if case any untrusted email or any spam email drops in your inbox asking for your sensitive data or any other personal information then please be aware of not responding to these emails with any of the personal details. Whenever you get this kind of emails, just do not respond and directly send them to spam and trash. Kindly do not open also, as on click as well the hackers can get into your bank details.
Keep all your passwords safe
With the level of security increasing day by day most of the banks offer tow factor verification – which means a secret code will be sent to the mobile number for verification of identity in order to gain access to your bank website or the banking portal. This two-factor verification is double security layer offered by the banks to ensure encryption and protection against hacking and misuse of the information. This point also leads us to change of the passwords on regular intervals, also be aware of the bank is asking your password, they would never do so. Thus protecting all your pins and passwords is very important.
Check your bank statements
Just to avoid any phishing activity or theft in your accounts make sure you check the account statements regularly. By doing this practice you will stay updated with your spending, weekly statements and how cash distribution happens. This way you can have a check on fraudulent purchases and or any other suspicious activity.
Never keep the passwords on devices
What this point means is if you wish to keep your passwords and log-in details for ready use on your devices then it shall be protected with the PIN for the file password; else never send any information via e-mail or SMS. Also, make sure that you do not leave any traces of your passwords lying here a there. Whenever use any public network for passwords or log-in make sure you log out completely and there is not auto fill or passwords saved on the system. Just be safe and remove all the traces from the cache history.
Protecting your phone is also important
35% of American adults when conduct banking online from their mobile phones it becomes imperative to protect the mobile phones as well. These devices too need security from getting stolen. Thus if you use your mobile phones for banking then make sure they are protected and safe. For example, put an automatic password on, use the touch-lock option, if using iPhone then enables Apple’s “Find My Phone” or “Device Manager” if you use Google Android. This way you can search your lost phone or locate it if kept somewhere making sure that your data is secure and not going into the wrong hands.
Avoid the unwanted bank lockouts
Make sure before you travel you always check with your credit card company about new updates and also inform them about your travel. It is a good habit as this will help in preventing frauds and unwanted lockouts of your cards. This also helps in case of any unforeseen incidence where you may lose your card abroad then the bank abroad can find your card with the IP address. Like these, you can secure your banking and credit cards when on travel and have a fair access to your bank from anywhere in the world.
Stay safe Bank safe!
