Whether you’re commuting to work or you’re away on vacation, safety should be your number one priority when it comes to accessing online banking. With more scams, hackers, and risks than ever, keeping your account safe and private is a must. Here are a few tips to consider to help improve your online banking safety:
1. Never use unsecured public WiFi
Public WiFi can be a real risk to the safety of your online banking, with hackers and malicious viruses getting direct access to your devices. If in doubt, use your 4G to access online banking, or even better, wait until you’re on secure, password-protected WiFi to check.
2. Don’t save logins
Some sites may provide you with the option to save your details for faster logins. But unless you know your computer is 100% inaccessible by others, you don’t want to check that box. So, keep information private, and be careful never to write logins down anywhere either.
3. Use passphrases instead of passwords
Passphrases are different from passwords; they are much longer and contain spaces between words, such as: “Every moment is a fresh beginning!” It is better to use a passphrase because they are easy to remember but almost impossible to crack. For an extra layer of security, you can also use two-factor authentication to require both a password and code for entry.
4. Keep up on updates
Your devices should always be updated to the latest version to reduce security risks – and the same applies to app updates. Stay updated, and you can greatly enhance your online safety when accessing your banking services.
5. Never click on email links
Have you received an email that could be from the bank? Never click that link. Instead, open the app or type in the URL yourself to confirm legitimacy. Common phishing scams try to get you to click links to capture information, which they can then use to access your online banking account.
6. Check your account often from a safe location
Checking in with your account regularly can help put your mind at rest and ensure you notice any unusual activity as swiftly as possible. Always check your account using secure WiFi or via 4G to ensure you’re safe whenever you want to check up on your accounts.
7. Use a unique username
For many people, using your own name as a username makes sense. But this can make you vulnerable, at it is easy information for any hacker to figure out. Instead, create a unique username that you’ll remember but doesn’t include your name, details, or year of birth.
