Online Banking Safety Tips

Family, Health and Safety
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Online Banking Concept.
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A survey conducted by the Gartner Group in 2009 revealed that 47 percent of U.S. adults were using online banking. The popularity of Internet banking is driven by the convenience of being able to pay bills and manage household finances from the comfort of an armchair, but concerns about safety remain high. Protecting your personal data and finances is a critical part of getting the most from online banking. Follow these five tips to ensure that you remain as safe and secure as possible.

Keep passwords safe. You should never disclose your user name, password or any other security numbers that you use to log in. Remember that your bank will never contact you to ask for your log-in details. If you receive any such call or email, never respond, and ensure that you report the matter to your bank immediately. Make sure that you are the only person that can access your account by updating your passwords as often as possible.

Use a secure computer. Ensure that your PC or laptop is equipped with up-to-date anti-virus software. Hackers may attempt to gain unlawful access to your accounts via a host of different types of malware. An up-to-date anti-virus software package will pick up new known viruses and malware on a daily basis. If possible, refrain from accessing your online account from shared computers, where it can be more difficult to protect your security.

Always use the same URL. You should access your bank’s Internet site by typing in the full web address or by using one of your bookmarks. Never access your bank account by clicking the URL link in an email. These are very often sent maliciously and will instead redirect you to a page that captures your log-in credentials.

Check your account daily. The more that you check your account, the more likely it is that you will spot any suspicious transactions. Get into the routine of checking your account daily so that you can verify all the transactions are genuine. If you are in any doubt, contact your bank immediately so that the issue can be investigated further.

Use your account securely. Your online banking should be made through a secure connection. Check that the web address starts with “https” instead of “http” and that a padlock or key symbol can be found in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Never leave the web page open when your computer is unattended, and always log out when you have finished in case somebody else can access the session.

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