There’s a reason the majority of U.S. adults with bank accounts use online banking services. Online banking, including mobile banking, provides a wealth of conveniences that fit our modern lifestyles, from 24/7 account access to mobile check deposit. But even if you use online banking services for your business, you may be concerned about security. In reality, online banking can be a safer and more secure way to manage your funds, as long as you follow smart security practices. Below are a few online banking security tips to follow:
- Avoid public Wi-Fi unless you take extra precautions. Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but represents a significant security risk. These networks are frequently not encrypted, which means your information can easily be intercepted by others on the network. Never log in to your bank account over public networks. The only exception is if you use a virtual private network (VPN) service. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection, acting as a private tunnel for your information. If you don’t subscribe to a VPN and don’t have access to a private network, you can securely use a cellular network to bank.
- Ensure the website you’re accessing is secure. Whenever you’re on a banking website (or any site where you’re sending sensitive information), you should look for an “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”) and a small padlock icon next to the web address. These tell you that the website provides a secure and private connection. In most cases, this is done via the transport layer security (TLS) protocol. This means the data is encrypted, cannot be modified during transfer and is authenticated to verify the identity of both communicating parties. Some websites still use older versions of TLS known as SSL, or secure sockets layer. To learn more about a website’s security, simply click on the padlock symbol.
- Run anti-virus and anti-malware software. Malware, short for malicious software, refers to software that can infiltrate your computer and steal, encrypt or delete sensitive data. Criminals, using a type of malware known as a banking Trojan, can break into online bank accounts and steal money. To secure your data and money, be sure your computer is running the latest anti-virus and anti-malware software available.
- Be wary of email and text scams. Many scammers will impersonate banks and send emails or texts that seem legitimate. But if they ask you to verify personal information or account details, it’s likely to be a scam. If you get a message that you believe is a scam, call your bank using information printed on your debit or credit card. You should also be careful of any links in messages reportedly sent by your bank. Instead, manually type in the address of your bank to be sure you’re visiting a genuine banking site.
Protect your business.
We’re here to help keep your business finances safe while banking online. Learn more about ways to protect your business at California Bank & Trust’s security center [cite::171::cite] [cite::172::cite].