The cash crisis that plagued the country late last year to early this year saw a sizeable amount of people resorting to online banking. Many people made applications and long after the crisis still continue to use it. Good as it may sound, banks all over the world lose millions of dollars to high-tech fraudsters. Banks try and minimise the risk but user can do quite a bit to protect themselves.
Bank specific information can be found on the respective websites. Here are some general steps to protect oneself when banking online:-
- Pay attention to whether or not the security measures employed are operational while you are making transactions. Depending on your browser you will see either a closed padlock or key icon to demonstrate that security is operating. The icon means the transaction is being encrypted and you should feel safe.
- Beware of phishers- these are people who masquerade online using a false identity claiming to be someone they are not and luring users to divulge information that is private and confidential. Do not be alarmed by alarming messages asking for your PIN, password and or username.
- Use the official bank website only.
- Do not enter information through email links. Once again use the bank’s URL.
- Call the bank if you receive any email from them and inquire about the subject of the email.
- Keep well informed about all the new tricks being used by online fraudsters. Read information on techrepublic.com or pcworld.com.
- Do not post a lot of personal information on social networking sites such as Facebook or Mixxit as hackers may make use of it to access your accounts.
- Use anti virus software and keep it updated.
- Use a personal firewall and keep it updated.
- Check your online statement as frequent as you can and report anything that you do not understand.
