How Safe Is Online Banking?

December 12, 2009

Keep Online Banking Details Safe and Protect Money From Wrong Hands

When it comes to managing one’s finances traditional banking methods are deemed the safest and most favourable. Traditional methods involve safe-to-face interaction with the bank staff who can handle simple transaction queries or clarify other simple matters such as how long a cash deposit will take to clear into the account.

However, there may be times in a day or even a week when a trip to the local bank is hampered by other daily activities. This, among other reasons, is why online banking has been introduced – conveniently. Over the years there has been much scepticism surrounding the safety of online banking. This is partly because some people are still unfamiliar with the internet.

But mainly, as reports suggest, it is because of rising number of customers’ personal banking details being stolen and misused on the internet. There are various reasons for this misfortune but learning to keep sensitive information secret can eliminate many of these and ensure an easy, safe and convenient experience of banking on the internet as is intended.

Keep Online Banking Details Safe

This includes any passwords, pin numbers and other security information needed to access bank accounts online. Banks would normally send the customer’s pin and log-in Ids in a secure mail and advise the customer to memorise and then destroy the letter on which the information was provided or keep it in a safe place.

Similarly, never leave written notes of password reminders or hints lying around the house or near the computer as, if found, they can facilitate unauthorised access to online accounts. Instead keep them in a home safe where there is only limited and controlled access.

Always completely log out of online banking page by clicking the ‘log out’ button located on the page once finished. This ensures that all temporary files are deleted and there will be no chance of anyone re-logging in.

Safety Online for All

All banks offering online banking facilities have plausible security measures in place to protect customers from online criminal activities. One such measure is the introduction of card readers which help to combat fraudsters’ sophisticated methods used in attempting to obtain security information from online banking customers.

Card readers work along with the bank card and its corresponding pin number. Without any one of these, it would not possible to access online banking. If in possession of a card reader then always use this method to log on to online banking as they add extra levels of protection to online banking.

Respond to Phishing E-Mails Can be Unsafe

Sometimes fraudsters are able to obtain information through phishing e-mails (e-mails, claiming to be from a legitimate company, sent to someone in an attempt to get their personal information). These e-mails usually contain a link that would redirect the recipient to a fake website where they will be asked to submit, ‘update’ or ‘confirm’ information such as their date of birth, passwords and bank details. So avoid clicking on links in e-mails that are asking for banking information; always use the methods recommended by the bank to log in.

Online banking on the whole has proved to be a safe and convenient facility for banking customers the world over. Law enforcements in different countries have also helped to alleviate internet crime, making online banking safer.

In the UK, for example, the law states that it is an offence for any business or firm to send unsolicited e-mails to an individual’s e-mail address. Therefore, if the individual has not given their e-mail address to the sender then any received correspondence must be treated as phishing mail and deleted immediately.