Top Tips for Safe Online Banking

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Choose an account with two factor authentications

Try to get a bank account that offers some form of two factor authentication for online banking. These days many, but not all, banks offer a small device that can be used to generate a unique code each time you log in. This code is only valid for a very short period of time and is required in addition to your login credentials in order to gain access to your online account.

Secure your computer and keep it up-to-date

Security software is essential these days, regardless of what you use your computer for. As a minimum, make sure you have a firewall turned on and are running antivirus software. This will ensure you are protected from Trojans, keyloggers and other forms of malware that could be used to gain access to your financial data.

You’ll also want to keep your operating system and other software up-to-date to ensure that there are no security holes present.

Create a strong password

If your bank requires a user-generated password in order to access online accounts, make sure you choose one that is strong. The best way to achieve this is by making it long and a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Always avoid using any common words or phrases and never create a password that contain your name, initials, or your date of birth. If your bank allows it, change your password every few months.

Avoid clicking through emails

No financial institution worth their salt will send you an email asking you to provide any of your login details. If you receive an email that appears to be from your bank that asks for such details then treat it with suspicion as it may well be a phishing attempt to trick you into handing your credentials over.

Access your accounts from a secure location

It’s always best practice to connect to your bank using computers and networks you know and trust. But if you need to access your bank online from remote locations you might want to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) so that you can establish an encrypted connection to your home or work network and access your bank from there.

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