With
the increasing popularity of the Internet as a virtual
marketplace, consumers and criminals alike have capitalized
on this growing community. As a result the issue of
Internet security has become one of great importance,
especially when it comes to online banking.
However,
safe banking online is not as difficult as it may
seem. It simply involves making the right choices.
This article will provide some tips that will help
ensure a safe banking experience on the Internet.
First,
make sure that the bank you choose is legitimate.
If they do not have a branch you can visit locally,
then you won't have the convenience of checking them
out in person. In such cases, it is advisable to read
pertinent information about the bank on its site.
Most
financial institutions will have an "About Us" tab
where you can read more information about the bank
and its history.
You
should even be able to the find name and address for
the bank's headquarters along with a toll free number
you can use to speak with a live person. Second, be
aware of criminals who put up fraudulent websites
under a name or web address similar to that of a credible
bank. Unfortunately, theses undesirables have caused
some trepidation when it comes to online banking.
However,
they can be fairly easy to spot and avoid. These sites
are designed to trick you into entering their website
and providing your personal information (i.e., social
security number, account number, password). Be sure
you have typed the appropriate web address for your
bank before accessing your account online.
This
can be easily ensured by "book marking" your bank's
site or adding it to your "favorites" in your web
browser.
Doing
this virtually guarantees you will visit the correct
site in the future.
Third, safeguard your private information.
Thieves
would love to get a hold of your credit card numbers,
banking info, social security number and other private
data. Review your bank's security practices. This
information is usually available on their website,
but you should also be able contact the bank directly
if necessary. A secure online banking site will provide
encryption. In this process, private information is
scrambled in order to prevent the wrong eyes from
seeing it.
Some
web browsers will show an icon at the bottom of your
screen that looks like a key or a lock. This icon
indicates that your transaction is secure and your
private information has been encrypted. A secure online
bank will also provide a password or PIN (Personal
Identification Number).
These
security measures will be unique to you and, in most
cases, you should be able to choose your own. Your
password or PIN should be something unique and regularly
changed. If you use a birthday, then others could
easily guess it. Try to use a combination that is
easy for you to remember but unknown to others.
It
should be clear that safe online banking is not an
impossible task. It simply involves being well informed
and making the right decisions.
