7 Online Banking Safety Tips You Need To Know | Southern States Bank (2024)

Whether you’re commuting to work or you’re away on vacation, safety should be your number one priority when it comes to accessing online banking. With more scams, hackers, and risks than ever, keeping your account safe and private is a must. Here are a few tips to consider to help improve your online banking safety:

1. Never use unsecured public WiFi

Public WiFi can be a real risk to the safety of your online banking, with hackers and malicious viruses getting direct access to your devices. If in doubt, use your 4G to access online banking, or even better, wait until you’re on secure, password-protected WiFi to check.

2. Don’t save logins

Some sites may provide you with the option to save your details for faster logins. But unless you know your computer is 100% inaccessible by others, you don’t want to check that box. So, keep information private, and be careful never to write logins down anywhere either.

3. Use passphrases instead of passwords

Passphrases are different from passwords; they are much longer and contain spaces between words, such as: “Every moment is a fresh beginning!” It is better to use a passphrase because they are easy to remember but almost impossible to crack. For an extra layer of security, you can also use two-factor authentication to require both a password and code for entry.

7 Online Banking Safety Tips You Need To Know | Southern States Bank (1)

4. Keep up on updates

Your devices should always be updated to the latest version to reduce security risks – and the same applies to app updates. Stay updated, and you can greatly enhance your online safety when accessing your banking services.

5. Never click on email links

Have you received an email that could be from the bank? Never click that link. Instead, open the app or type in the URL yourself to confirm legitimacy. Common phishing scams try to get you to click links to capture information, which they can then use to access your online banking account.

6. Check your account often from a safe location

Checking in with your account regularly can help put your mind at rest and ensure you notice any unusual activity as swiftly as possible. Always check your account using secure WiFi or via 4G to ensure you’re safe whenever you want to check up on your accounts.

7. Use a unique username

For many people, using your own name as a username makes sense. But this can make you vulnerable, at it is easy information for any hacker to figure out. Instead, create a unique username that you’ll remember but doesn’t include your name, details, or year of birth.

At Southern States Bank, we take online security seriously. With a focus on high-quality online banking services, we know the importance of always keeping our customers safe. Check out what we have to offer today.

7 Online Banking Safety Tips You Need To Know | Southern States Bank (2024)

FAQs

7 Online Banking Safety Tips You Need To Know | Southern States Bank? ›

Kyle Marchini, senior analyst in fraud management with research-based advisory firm Javelin Strategy & Research: "I give bank apps on mobile devices the edge when it comes to safety,” Marchini says. With computers, he says, it is easier to inadvertently download malware from hackers.

What are the top tips for using online banking safely? ›

Here are a few tips to consider to help improve your online banking safety:
  1. Never use unsecured public WiFi. ...
  2. Don't save logins. ...
  3. Use passphrases instead of passwords. ...
  4. Keep up on updates. ...
  5. Never click on email links. ...
  6. Check your account often from a safe location. ...
  7. Use a unique username.

How do I make sure my online banking is secure? ›

Online Banking Security: 7 Tips for Securing Your Info
  1. Choose Strong Passwords. The stronger your internet banking password, the better. ...
  2. Change Passwords Regularly. ...
  3. Use Two-Factor Authentication. ...
  4. Stay Skeptical of Scams. ...
  5. Use Your Financial Institution's Security Offerings. ...
  6. Use a Password Manager. ...
  7. Check Your Accounts Regularly.
Jul 25, 2023

What are the safety precautions for banking? ›

  • Never give out personal info, passwords or PIN numbers. ...
  • Do not leave your account information in an area accessible by others. ...
  • Remember many e-mail systems are NOT secure. ...
  • You're responsible for the security of your computer. ...
  • Change passwords on a regularly and use passwords that are difficult to guess.

What precautions should be taken during internet banking? ›

7 Tips for Safe Online Banking
  1. Selecting a strong password. ...
  2. Never share your password. ...
  3. Avoid phishing e-mails. ...
  4. Use your own computer/laptop. ...
  5. Use licensed Anti-Virus software. ...
  6. Register for account notifications. ...
  7. Type the URL of your bank.

What are 4 tips for keeping safe online? ›

Cybersecurity 101: 7 Basic Internet Safety Tips
  • When creating a new password, pay attention to strong password requirements.
  • Change your passwords often.
  • Don't share your passwords with other people.
  • Don't use common, easily guessable passwords.
  • Make sure passwords and password hints are stored securely.

What is the safest device to do online banking? ›

Kyle Marchini, senior analyst in fraud management with research-based advisory firm Javelin Strategy & Research: "I give bank apps on mobile devices the edge when it comes to safety,” Marchini says. With computers, he says, it is easier to inadvertently download malware from hackers.

What is the best protection for online banking? ›

Most are easy to implement, providing a solid defense against hackers.
  1. Password-protect all banking access. ...
  2. Choose strong and unique passwords. ...
  3. Enable two-factor authentication. ...
  4. Log out when you finish banking. ...
  5. Avoid public Wi-Fi. ...
  6. Don't use a shared computer. ...
  7. Sign up for banking alerts. ...
  8. Guard against phishing scams.
Oct 14, 2023

How do I know if an online bank is safe? ›

To help you determine if a website belongs to an FDIC-insured bank, check the FDIC BankFind, a data resource on the FDIC website. You can look up banks by name or website address to verify whether they are a real FDIC-insured bank. Compare the bank name with the web address or URL.

What is the risk of online banking? ›

The biggest risk of online banking is that someone could access your account by getting their hands on your username and password, hacking your account, exposing you to a virus, or using your debit or credit card to make a purchase. These risks exist for online and traditional banks offering online banking services.

What are the don'ts for online bank transactions? ›

Don't let any unauthorized person have access to your computer or leave the computer unattended while using Internet Banking Services. 3. Don't disclose/reveal your personal or confidential information to anyone over email/SMS/phone call.

What are the do's and don'ts of banking? ›

Don't share your Debit / Credit cards with any one. Don't share your personal information like Debit card details/PIN/CVV/OTP/Card Expiry Date/UPI PIN, over phone mails/e mail/SMS to anyone even though some one pretending to be bank officials.

What are the 8 risks in banking industry? ›

These risks are: Credit, Interest Rate, Liquidity, Price, Foreign Exchange, Transaction, Compliance, Strategic and Reputation.

Which one has highest risk in internet banking? ›

The biggest risk of online banks is that someone will access your savings or checking account and steal your information and money. This typically happens when your account is hacked by cybercriminals who get your username and password.

Is my money safe in the bank from hackers? ›

A bank account is typically the safest place for your cash, since banks can be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, per ownership category. Banks that are insured by the FDIC often say “Member FDIC” on their websites.

Is it safe to use Wi-Fi while online banking? ›

It is far harder for criminals to access your mobile network, and this can keep your banking data safer. If you have your device set up to automatically connect to nearby networks, you could be exposing yourself to several risks. You should never connect to a WiFi network unless you know you can trust the source.

What are at least 3 tips to manage your banking account? ›

How to Manage Your Checking Account
  1. Check Your Account Balance Routinely.
  2. Set Up Direct Deposit.
  3. Sign Up for Banking Alerts.
  4. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.
  5. Understand Banking Fees and How to Avoid Them.
  6. Sign Up for Bill Pay.
  7. Use In-Network ATMs.
Aug 8, 2023

How do I ensure safe online payments? ›

Consider the following online payment security best practices to protect your customers and business.
  1. Use two-factor authentication. ...
  2. Verify every transaction. ...
  3. Choose a secure e-commerce platform and payment provider. ...
  4. Buy cyber liability insurance. ...
  5. Use a personal verification system. ...
  6. Don't store customer payment data.
Nov 6, 2023

How do I stay safe with mobile banking? ›

How to use mobile banking safely
  1. Don't lose your phone. ...
  2. Use the official banking app, not the browser. ...
  3. Don't just follow any link you see. ...
  4. Don't use mobile banking on public Wi-Fi. ...
  5. Use strong passwords and 2FA. ...
  6. Use antivirus software with malware and phishing protection. ...
  7. Keep your software up to date.
Dec 20, 2023

Which is a good habit to use to protect your online bank account? ›

Strong password practices serve as a foundation for bank account security. Keep your electronic devices up to date, use care when using public Wi-Fi, and avoid potentially suspicious ATMs. Regularly monitor your account activity and consider spreading your funds across multiple accounts for added protection.

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