Online banking is quick and easy. This is why it is so well-liked by people all around the world. Online payments can also cause trouble. You should take security measures for online banking. Hackers can easily get your personal information and may cause trouble for you.
Table of Contents
- Is Online Banking Safe?
- 20 Tips For Securing Your Online Accounts Payments
- [1] – Use Secure Passwords
- [2] – Enable 2 Factor Authentication
- [3] – Use Legit Mobile Apps & Firmware
- [4] – Make Your Device Secure
- [5] – Don’t Allow Auto Logins
- [6] – Make Your Connections Secure
- [7] – Be Aware Of Phishing Tricks
- [8] – Always Lock Your Device
- [9] – Activate Find My Phone
- [10] – Turn On Account Notifications
- [11] – Keep Your Device Updated
- [12] – Use Bank’s Mobile App
- [13] – Log Out After Transaction
- [14] – Don’t Always Turn On Bluetooth
- [15] – Don’t Use Public PCs
- [16] – Monitor Your Account Regularly
- [17] – Don’t Make Payments Using Public WiFi
- [18] – Turn On Security Emails And Text
- [19] – Use Incognito Mode
- [20] – Use Visa/Master Cards From Well Known Stores
- Related Questions
- Conclusion
Is Online Banking Safe?
Yes, online banking is secure. As long as you are using HTTPS secured website connection and an online bank that is FDIC- [The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation] insured, it will provide the same level of protection as a local FDIC-insured bank.
20 Tips For Securing Your Online Accounts Payments
[1] – Use Secure Passwords
To get access to your online banking account, you’ll need to type in a password, so make it strong. Use a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, as well as special characters and numerals, if possible. Avoid using popular phrases or terms in your password, and never use a password that incorporates personal information.
[2] – Enable 2 Factor Authentication
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if your bank offers it to add an extra layer of security to your account. Once your account is set up, you’ll usually receive a one-time password by text message that you’ll need to input every time you log in. If someone else tries to access your account, you’ll get a text message with the code.
[3] – Use Legit Mobile Apps & Firmware
Some mobile users in some countries use cracked mobile software in order to install non-authentic apps and games from third-party sources so they don’t pay for the apps, but in this case, they are risking their online banking since those apps and games are not secured and downloaded from the original provider’s platform.
[4] – Make Your Device Secure
To keep hackers away, use an antivirus or anti-malware application on your phone or computer. Remember to keep it up to date, and make sure your firewall is turned on to safeguard your device from outside interference. It’s also critical to use an up-to-date web browser; older browsers have security flaws that might make your device hazardous!
[5] – Don’t Allow Auto Logins
Your browser saves your username and password when you activate auto-login. This means you won’t have to remember your login information to access your bank account. Automatic login, on the other hand, is best avoided, especially if you conduct your internet banking on your phone.
If a hacker has access to that, they won’t need your credentials to access your bank account.
[6] – Make Your Connections Secure
All of your banking traffic can be intercepted and read if your connection isn’t secure. So, whenever you visit a bank or a shopping site, be sure it employs SSL or TLS.
Simply check the URL; it should begin with “HTTPS://,” indicating that the site is secure. Get a paid VPN for online banking if you have to, as it will encrypt your whole connection.
[7] – Be Aware Of Phishing Tricks
Don’t fall for it if your bank sends you an email asking for your account details. This is a phishing effort in which a cybercriminal impersonates a trustworthy institution to deceive you into disclosing sensitive information.
Users should be aware that legitimate banking organizations would never send them emails asking for their credentials. And also, not to open any links from scummy emails that look they are legit from the bank.
[8] – Always Lock Your Device
You must keep your portable device safe.
To prevent someone from accidentally accessing your phone, set up a lock screen using a PIN or password.
[9] – Activate Find My Phone
Activate Find My iPhone or Android Device Manager if you haven’t already. You can use it to track down your phone if you’ve misplaced it or to remotely wipe all sensitive data so that it doesn’t wind up somewhere it shouldn’t.
Here is how to activate Find my iPhone or Android device:
Android
- Look for “Find My Device” in “Settings“.
- If the app is listed but disabled, tap it and use the toggle to enable it.
iPhone
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Then hit “Find My“, then tap your name.
- Turn on “Share My Location” if you want your friends and family to know where you are.
- Turn on Find My [device] by tapping Find My [device].
[10] – Turn On Account Notifications
Some banks provide you with the option of receiving real-time account notifications through text or email. It’s a handy feature since you’ll get an SMS every time money is taken out of your account.
NOTE: As a result, you’ll be able to quickly notice and respond to questionable conduct.
[11] – Keep Your Device Updated
It’s logical that you’d want to block updates because they can take from minutes to hours. You’ll lose out on essential fixes that repair faults and vulnerabilities in your operating system if your phone or computer isn’t up to date.
Furthermore, you won’t be able to take advantage of all of the exciting new features that each new update brings.
[12] – Use Bank’s Mobile App
If your bank offers a mobile app, download it and use it. Computers are the target of the great majority of malicious assaults.
Although all devices have the ability to be hacked, the chance of mobile phones being hacked is far lower.
[13] – Log Out After Transaction
Making it a habit to log out as soon as you’re through with your banking session is a far better option. Cross-site scripting and session hijacking attacks will be less likely to harm you as a result of this. Furthermore, no one else will be able to access your bank account if they acquire access to your smartphone.
[14] – Don’t Always Turn On Bluetooth
Bluetooth gives hackers yet another way to get their hands on critical information. If left on in public locations, the capability that allows devices to talk with one another might constitute a significant security concern.
These malicious actors can obtain access to your device and take over some functionality by seeking open Bluetooth signals.
[15] – Don’t Use Public PCs
Don’t make the mistake of doing your internet banking on a public computer. When you access your bank account from one, the chances of your login credentials being hacked are increased.
[16] – Monitor Your Account Regularly
Keep a close look at all of your bank statements each month. This is due to the possibility that your bank will fail to notice fraudulent activity on your account. If you read over your statements frequently, you’ll be able to detect any unusual transactions and notify your bank as soon as possible.
[17] – Don’t Make Payments Using Public WiFi
Similarly, you should avoid using Wi-Fi networks in cafés, shopping malls, and other public areas for critical activities like online banking. Because they are frequently unencrypted, hackers can simply intercept your data and obtain your login credentials.
NOTE: If you really must use a public Wi-Fi hotspot, remember to first turn on your VPN.
[18] – Turn On Security Emails And Text
You should set up email and text message notifications immediately if you haven’t already. You’ll get alerted anytime a charge appears on your bank account, allowing you to keep track of your spending in real-time. If you’re notified of a transaction you don’t recognize, you can take action right away.
[19] – Use Incognito Mode
You wouldn’t want the information you submitted to be kept on your computer, whether it’s your own or a public one, because that’s never a good idea! When you need to conduct a transaction, just switch to incognito mode to prevent cache, cookies, and browser history from being kept on your device.
And here is how you use incognito mode:
- Open the Chrome app on your Android phone, tablet.
- Tap More
- and then the New Incognito tab to the right of the address bar.
For PC:
- Click the 3 dots on the top right side of the chrome browser (besides your account icon).
- Choose “New Incognito Window“.
[20] – Use Visa/Master Cards From Well Known Stores
When you use your Visa card or Master Card, always keep in mind to buy from well-known stores that have secured connection HTTPS on it, and a well knows third-party payment gateway.
Below are the best 7 Payment gateways you need to check on when you are about to pay on any website:
- Authorize.Net.
- Stripe.
- PayPal.
- Square.
- Braintree.
- WePay.
- 2Checkout.
There are a lot more, but those are the most famous ones.
Related Questions
Is It Safer To Bank Over The Phone Than It Is To Bank Online?
Yes, Mobile banking, is a little safer in terms of security, owing to the fact that no data is stored, however, online banking is also safe relying on the bank secured website, but still, there is a possibility of malicious infections that your PC or browser could infect with that threatens your personal information.
Which Browser Is The Most Secure For Online Banking?
When it comes to online banking, the Chrome browser is the safest option. Other browsers may be tracking and storing your data. It’s possible that the same thing is happening with Google Chrome, but your data is protected.
Can Hackers Access Bank Accounts Use Only Phone Numbers?
Yes, your phone could be useful for them if you forget your password, they may use your phone number to reset your account.
A hacker can use your phone number to start stealing your accounts one by one by sending a password reset to your phone, when they phone customer service, they can fool automated systems, such as your banks, into thinking they’re you.
Conclusion
You may be confident that your sensitive data will not fall into the wrong hands if you follow the online banking security advice above, yet, you should be super cautious when it comes to online banking.
Now it’s up to you to implement them into your everyday routine and protect your hard-earned cash!
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