Banking Internet Security

When it comes to banking internet security, nothing is better than keeping your guard up, specially when doing monetary transactions online. Financial institutions are taking advantage of the versatility of the internet, where they can sell their products and services to a wider network that reaches millions of people all over the world. With the birth of cyber technology comes the era of cyber crimes. There are many cyber criminals out there waiting for you to make that slip, which will allow them full access to your sensitive personal and financial data.

The world wide web offers you convenient and fresh ways of shopping for goods and services, 24 x 7. When it comes to banking internet security, you can play your part as an informed consumer by following these fifteen techniques that will give you the most positive online banking experience:

Banking Internet Security Techniques

1. Confirm your online bank’s information and make sure that they have a physical address . Try to look for the bank’s phone number and call during the bank’s business hours to see if someone will answer your call.

2. Read the online bank’s “About Us” section to check their history. Banking internet security can be compromised if you skip this part.

3. Type in the online bank’s URL or web address in the address bar of your internet browser, instead of clicking on links leading to their website. There are many website clones out there whose primary goal is to lure you into giving away your account information.

4. Always be on the lookout for the word “https:” in your web browser which tells you that you are entering a secured, encrypted site. Banking Internet security can be verified by double clicking on the icon beside the address bar. Doing this will show you the site’s security certificate.

5. Be detail-oriented and keep an eye on changes on the website, like a slight misspelling, altered domain name, or a different logo version than the ones used by your online bank.

6. Look for the FDIC logo, the words Member FDIC or FDIC-Insured on the website of your online bank. You may also check with the FDIC website to see if your bank is insured. This means that your deposits will be protected.

7. Read your online bank’s privacy policy and user agreement before you sign up.

8. Secure your passwords by using a combination of alpha-numeric characters for maximum banking internet security. If you want to have a hard copy of your password, make sure to keep it away from prying eyes. Many people make the mistake of using their birth date for a PIN. This technique becomes an easy target, specially if your stolen wallet contains your social security ID, driver’s license, and your bank cards.

9. Avoid using computers at public places like libraries, schools, or net cafes when doing an online banking transaction. You don’t know how secured the system of the computers in these places are.

10. Always have your personal computer password-protected. If you’re using a PC at work, make sure to lock your PC during breaks.

11. Changing your passwords can also add extra safety. Depending on your free time, you can do it monthly, quarterly, or every two weeks.

12. Have the latest anti-virus software installed in your PC and do regular maintenance or system check.

13. Never download unsecured file that contains Java or ActiveX Applets and if you must download, run it thoroughly with your firewall or anti-virus program before installing it in your PC.

14. Make sure that your current web browser supports 128-bit or SSL encryption.

15. Do not give away your email address to third parties without being sure that they can be trusted.

Secure Finances starts with you

These tricks will definitely help you be a better online banking customer. Legitimate banks on the web can only give you their banking internet security protocol on their end, but you must also collaborate with their efforts to make sure you have a peace of mind when it comes to your finances. When investment hustles and fraudsters proliferate the web, the best way to protect yourself against a scam is to ask yourself if the offer is too good to be true. If it probably is… you better stay clear!

RESOURCES:

HSBC. “ Internet Safety Tips. “ 2009. http://www.hsbcusa.com/security/internet_safety_tips.html

JP Morgan & Chase Co. “ Online Safety Tips for You. “ 2009.

https://www.chase.com/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/privacy_security/protection/page/safety_tips

Finding Dulcinea. “ Online Banking Safety. “ January 2009. Docstoc.com.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/3858216/Online-Banking-Safety-Tips-for-Safe-Online-Banking-Though-it

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. “ Tips for Safe Banking Over the Internet. “ July 2007.

http://www.fdic.gov/BANK/INDIVIDUAL/ONLINE/SAFE.html