Banking used to be a tremendous hassle. Just a few years ago, you’d have to rush to your bank, hoping to make it before closing time. The Internet has made banking extremely convenient. You can check your balance, transfer funds, and even monitor your stocks and investments in real-time.
But with that convenience comes risk. After all, what would a criminal want more than easy access to your money? You probably already have online banking set up. Here are some simple tips to remember to help keep you—and your money—safe.
-Always type in the URL of your financial institution. Phishing attacks often contain deceiving links that send you to fraudulent websites that look and function exactly like the real ones. Typing in your bank’s URL manually ensures you are visiting the true site.
-Use the secure connection to your financial institution. Most banks automatically take you to their secured site. If not, try using „https” when typing in the URL. Your web browser may even display a lock icon that tells you your connection is secure.
-Create strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. We’ve created a video on how to do that at the Security Matters website.
-Don’t conduct online banking at a public computer. Use your home desktop or laptop to make your transactions or check balances.
-And finally, and perhaps the simplest tip of all, remember to log out when you’re finished. Always find the „Log out” option on your bank’s website and click it when exiting.
Online banking is convenient and efficient. With these simple tips, you can make it a safe experience as well.
For more help on protecting yourself and your data online, visit our website, at www.securitymatters.iu.edu.