{"id":483,"date":"2017-03-21T11:11:18","date_gmt":"2017-03-21T11:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/?p=483"},"modified":"2018-11-14T17:08:25","modified_gmt":"2018-11-14T17:08:25","slug":"10-essential-security-measures-to-keep-your-online-banking-safe-in-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/10-essential-security-measures-to-keep-your-online-banking-safe-in-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Essential Security Measures To Keep Your Online Banking Safe In 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Online banking is amazing, isn\u2019t it? Just 15 years ago, we had to physically enter a bank to do any sorts of transactions. Now we carry around a digital teller in our pocket, able to make deposits, transfers, and even external ACH transactions with the click of a button.<\/p>\n<p>But with great power comes great responsibility, right? Yes, it\u2019s easier than ever for us to access our banking information, but it\u2019s also easier than ever for hackers to gain access to that information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ARTICLE SOURCE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dccu.us\/blog\/10-essential-security-measures-online-banking-safety-2017\/\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.dccu.us\/blog\/10-essential-security-measures-online-banking-safety-2017\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-486\" src=\"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/image01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In 2015, this was reported about UK bank NatWest:<\/p>\n<p>UK high street bank NatWest has admitted that a serious flaw in its online banking system is enabling criminals to hack into accounts and drain them through two different ways \u2013 either by accessing the accounts using stolen smartphones, or by impersonating victims to get their phone calls and SMS text messages forwarded to another SIM card.<\/p>\n<p>Yikes!<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, there are some very specific actions you can take to ensure that you aren\u2019t the next victim of hackers. In this post, we\u2019re going to lay out 10 ways you can keep your online banking info safe in 2017.<br \/>\n<strong><br \/>\nSecurity Measure #1: Never Click On Suspicious Links<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Have you ever received an email with a link that didn\u2019t look right? Or a weird looking text message? When you looked at it you thought, something doesn\u2019t feel right here.<\/p>\n<p>When that happens, trust your instincts.<\/p>\n<p>If you ever receive a text message or email containing a link you don\u2019t recognize, DO NOT click on it. Why? Because it may be a link to a malicious website trying to impersonate your bank. If you enter your banking info into that site, you\u2019ve just given it to cyber criminals who could log into your online banking.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you might receive an email saying your banking password needs to be reset with a link for you to click. If you click that link and enter your password, you\u2019ve just given it to thieves.<\/p>\n<p>Only enter your online banking information into your bank\u2019s official website or app. This will keep you from leaking security information to the wrong people.<\/p>\n<p>If you ever receive a request via email or text to send your password information, you can be sure it is a scam. Don\u2019t do it.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, as a best practice, you shouldn\u2019t send online banking information over email or text for security purposes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Security Measure #2: Only Bank On Secure WiFi Networks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, public WiFi networks like the ones you\u2019ll find at your local coffee shop or library aren\u2019t very secure. After all, they have to accommodate as many people as possible.<\/p>\n<p>The low level of security makes them prime targets for hackers who can quickly break down their defenses.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever possible, don\u2019t do your online banking over a public WiFi network. Rather, only do transactions over a secure network like the password protected one at home. If you absolutely need to access your bank while you\u2019re out and about, turn off the WiFi and bank over your cellular network.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- responsive1 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8934562929349122\" data-ad-slot=\"3379014842\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nSecurity Measure #3: Only Use Official Banking Apps<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You should only use your bank or credit union\u2019s official smartphone app for online banking. These online apps are rigorously tested to ensure all your data is secure and encrypted. These apps also tend to be much more secure than text messaging, making them the absolute safest way to bank online.<\/p>\n<p>Never use a financial application created by someone other than where you bank. The developers could very well be stealing your private information for devious purposes. If you have any doubts about the originations of the app, don\u2019t use it.<\/p>\n<p>When in doubt call your bank or credit union to verify that an app is legitimate.<\/p>\n<p>Thieves are smart and will do whatever they can to steal your info, including creating a fake app that looks eerily close to the authentic one.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Security Measure #4: Never Lose Your Mobile Device<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This may be easier said than done, but it\u2019s absolutely essential that you don\u2019t lose your mobile device. The easiest way for someone to steal online banking information is if they can get their hands on your smartphone or tablet.<\/p>\n<p>If you use an iPhone, set up the \u201cFind My Phone\u201d app, which allows you to quickly locate a lost mobile device and lock it or even erase the contents on it. If you use an Android device, you take the same actions with the Android Device Manager.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, don\u2019t store your password information on your phone. Don\u2019t write it in the notes or make a voice recording of it. This is the equivalent of writing your computer password on a Post-It note and then sticking it on your computer monitor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Security Measure #5: Create An Uncrackable Password<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, many people select simple passwords that are easy to remember but also easy for cyber criminals to crack. They choose something like their birthday, phone number, Social Security number, dog, child, favorite sports team, or favorite season. While these types of passwords certainly make things easier to remember, they\u2019re actually dangerous. A hacker can use a variety of software programs to guess at your password until it gets it right, opening the digital vault.<\/p>\n<p>Your password should contain a variety of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. If you\u2019re worried about forgetting your password, you can use a secure password saving device such as LastPass or 1Password. These require a master password and securely encrypt all your information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Security Measure #6: Keep Your Software Up To Date<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many people find it annoying when they discover an update is available for their phone software. They have to download the new software, install it, and restart their phone, all of which seems annoying.<\/p>\n<p>However, it\u2019s essential to keep your phone software up-to-date for security reasons. Every time a new version of your phone\u2019s operating system releases, security holes are patched. If you choose not to update your phone, a hacker could steal your information through one of those security holes.<\/p>\n<p>Think of it kind of like your front door. If you realized that your front door had a hole in it, making it easy for criminals to unlock your door, you would fix that hole. Every time you download the latest version of an operating system, you are fixing a hole.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Security Measure #7: Log Out When Your Session Is Finished<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whenever you\u2019re done with your online banking session, immediately logout. This minimizes the chances of someone stealing your information. It\u2019s extremely important to logout if you are banking in a public space where you could accidentally leave your phone or tablet. Having someone snatch your phone from a coffee table while a banking session is still active could be disastrous.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, most online banking applications automatically log you out after a set time. However, it\u2019s still best practice to log out immediately after finishing your session.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- responsive1 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8934562929349122\" data-ad-slot=\"3379014842\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><br \/>\n<strong>Security Measure #8: Create Banking Notifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many banks and credit unions allow customers to get text and email alerts about certain transactions in their accounts. For example, you can receive text messages whenever a transaction over a certain dollar amount occurs or when your balance dips below a certain amount.<\/p>\n<p>Getting these notifications allows you to be alerted the moment something suspicious begins happening in your bank account. If you see a transaction you didn\u2019t initiate, immediately call your bank and have them put a stop on it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Security Measure #9: Don\u2019t Overshare Online<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When a hacker is trying to steal your information, one of the first places they\u2019ll look is your social media profiles. Why? They know that most people use common information such as the names of their children as passwords and they know they can find that online. They\u2019ll gather as much information about you as they can on these social media sites and then begin trying to use it as your password.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, when sharing information on social media you should be very careful about your privacy settings as well as the amount of information you share.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Security Measure #10: Lock Down Your Smartphone and Tablet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You should always secure your smartphone and tablet as thoroughly as possible. This usually means incorporating a six-digit passcode to unlock your phone as well as your fingerprint if possible.<\/p>\n<p>If you lose your phone these security measures can at least slow down anyone who tries to steal your information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the online world is a sketchy place. There are many people who want to take what is yours and steal what you\u2019ve worked so hard to save. They will stop at nothing to do it and will resort to all sorts of devious and dastardly solutions.<\/p>\n<p>But don\u2019t fall for their traps. Fight back and protect what is rightfully yours. By implementing these ten security measures, you will do a great job of frustrating and most likely thwarting hackers.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- responsive1 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8934562929349122\" data-ad-slot=\"3379014842\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Online banking is amazing, isn\u2019t it? Just 15 years ago, we had to physically enter a bank to do any sorts of transactions. Now we carry around a digital teller in our pocket, able to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":560,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imadscotland.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}