Important Security Tips for Online Banking

Now a days almost all Banks provide us with Online Banking (Net Banking) Facility. Net Banking can be very Useful in Paying various types of Bills Online, for Online Shopping etc.

A week ago one of my Friend’s Online Bank Account got Hacked (Accessed by some unknown person)! Her Bank Account was compromised because she entered her Confidential Bank Related Details to some Fraud Website! So, it’s very essential that you maintain security of your Net Banking Account.

Following are some very Important Security Tips for you, if you are also maintaining an Online Bank Account or are going to maintain in near future:

Be careful when responding to Emails:

You may get Emails which seems like they are coming from your Bank. The main purpose of such Emails is to seek Confidential Information. This activity is commonly known as Phishing. Through such messages, you may get directed to websites which appears to be genuine and will ask you to enter your Confidential Details – Simply Discard/Delete Such Emails.

Always Bear in Mind That:

• Bank will never ask for any Confidential Information such as Passwords, Customer ID, Credit Card number, PIN, CVV, Date Of Birth and so on over an Email!
• A Phishing Email will normally have a Tone of Urgency like Your account will be temporarily suspended and therefore please Login to keep your account active. Remember: No Bank will send such emails to its customers!
• If you are doubtful about the credibility of an Email, NEVER click on any link in the email. This may trigger Malicious Code being installed on your PC.
• Before you share any information on a website in response to an Email, always assure that the URL shown in the email matches the URL of the Bank’s Website. If it doesn’t, discard such Emails
• Check for the Security Pad Lock Icon at the bottom right side of the Webpage in your Browser, when you are connected to your Net Banking Website.

Ensure your Personal Computer is protected:

Fraudsters send Genuine Looking Emails that contain Viruses and Trojans. These viruses/Trojans, install a malicious code on Computer without user knowledge and then they extract Confidential Information which can be used to access Bank Accounts!

Here are few Important Action Points that you should always remember:

• Keep your PC updated with the latest Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware software. There are many great Free Security Tools available for your PC
• Install a Personal Firewall on your PC to protect your account
• Keep your Operating System updated with the latest security patches
• Do not click on links or open attachments in Unknown or Unsolicited (SPAM) Emails
• Do not to make purchases on Unknown Sites or Sites whose Credentials are doubtful

Never Transfer Funds OR Share your Bank Account details with Unknown /Non-Validated sources:

Many phishing fraudsters are located overseas. They need a Money Mule to route the money into their country of origin. This can be easy money, but is completely illegal. Such requests may come to you through Emails, Advertisements, Instant Messaging/SMS, even in NEWS Paper Advertisements and on Social Networking Sites like Orkut, Facebook etc.

Simply discard such Doubtful Messages if they are coming from some other country.

Additional Tips:

• If your Bank provides you with a Virtual Keyboard on it’s Net Banking Login Page, than make use of it, especially for Typing Passwords.
• Make sure your are using Strong Password which is uneasy to guess
• Check if your Computer is Running any Harmful Processes – In case it’s behaving strangely
• You can also try Browser Sandboxing and Browser Encryption – Only if you don’t have or don’t update your Security Softwares!

If ever, you feel any problem Contact your Bank Immediately. Remember maintaining your Bank Account Security is in your Hands only!

Category: Browser, Security, Web