8 Golden Rules For Safe And Secure Online Banking

1)Good security software which must be updated regularly.

Make your computer secure by installing good security devices. Ensure that your computer security software is set up to update security enhancements as and when they become available. This is very important because security patches are released primarily to fix a security issue or weakness. Installing the patch as soon as it becomes available will help you protect your online banking account information from thieves.

2)Anti-virus software to be installed.

Installing anti-virus software will offer some protection against prying eyes into your online banking business. There are a lot of these anti-virus software packages on the market names such as Mcafee and Norton are well known. Some anti-virus software advisers will even refer to “FREE” anti-virus software packages for the task of providing security. This is a false economy. People in some quarters advocate AVG but a paid version as opposed to a sponsored one.

3)Personal fire wall.

Personal fire wall is a gate which you can use to choose your visitors from entering your machine as well as leaving it. Personal fire wall prevents and stops unauthorised traffic from and to your machine. The suggested products to provide an extra layer of security to your online banking needs are Zone lab’s famous Zone Alarm Pro fro example. The negative side effect of Zone Alarm is that it causes problems when you run certain software. In those circumstances, you are required to disable this security function before continuing to run your software. But Zone Alarm does have world wide recognition and use.

4)Password, its choice and its security.

Your password is your access to you’re your online banking account. Never use a password which is easily recognisable. For example, if your first name is “Trish” then it is advisable for you not to use your first name as your password on your account.

5)Don’t use same password for several accounts.

Never use the same password for several accounts. This practice may not look bad on the surface but it increases the risk of password information falling into the wrong hands. For example, your online banking password could be $12wed8 or something similar.

6)Record of your password.

Never write your password down. There are several arguments both for and against this statement. Yes, there should be a record of your account details which must be kept in a safe somewhere. However, having your password information in your wallet is not advised because you could possibly lose your wallet or it may be stolen.

7)Sending password information to others online.

Never give your password details to anyone online for example. Information which is passed to others over the internet remains on the internet for ever. Some one somewhere will have a copy of your previously sent information and that fact makes your password information unsecure and less safe.

8)Have anti-spyware software installed on your machine.

Spyware programs end up on your hard drive via down load. An innocent request for information about a product can result in a spyware program sitting on your hard drive. Their function is to monitor computer usage activity and then communicate that information to its owner. In a nutshell, it collects marketing information.

However, it can also be used to collect sensitive and secure information. Information like your password and account information in relation to an online banking transaction. Therefore, having a anti-spy program will protect your against third party collecting information about your online banking activities.

Finally, online banking is growing at a very fast rate so much so that all the high street banks are offering online banking to its customers. There are big advantages for the banks because the transactions and therefore the work is done by the customers themselves and customers can access their online bank account 24/7. It is a win-win situation for all parties.