Security Tips for Finance Websites

08 Jul Security Tips for Finance Websites

Proper security measures on the internet can protect you from fraudulent activities. With the increase of options pertaining to online banking and carrying out transactions online, you need to secure your privacy. This is important for safeguarding your security when you use your devices to access the internet.

Online security does not have to be complex and it includes simple steps such as evaluating your accounts regularly and reporting fraud immediately. There are various things that you can do to be safe on the internet when you use your computer or a mobile device.

You can enhance your online safety by keeping a few tips in mind whenever you log on to finance websites.

Passwords

Protect your identity and money by always using strong passwords for your accounts. Strong passwords refer to those that are not easy to guess both by people and computers. They should ideally have a minimum of 8 characters that include letters, symbols and numbers.

It is advisable to have different passwords and IDs for each financial account as well as other sites that you may visit online. Avoid using sensitive information such as credit card numbers as your passwords or PINs. If a person is able to find this type of information, it will be one of the first things that are used to access your financial accounts.

Emails and Downloads

Do not respond to any email that claims to have been sent by your bank or   organization asking  you for details of your account. Banks and legitimate companies would not use emails to request for personal or sensitive information. Be careful when opening attachments in emails and downloading software from sources that you do not know. This can expose your device and data to online theft and fraud.

Social Networks

Social networks on the internet are a popular and fun platform to share information but you should avoid giving away your financial information on them. Posting a lot of your personal information increases the risk of someone using it to get your accounts or engage in identity theft. Social networking sites provide privacy options that you can use to keep your personal information safe.

Links

Be careful when clicking on links online and use security-enabled websites that have put extra security measures in place. Such sites have taken the necessary steps to ensure that your information is kept safe. Links in emails and messages from social networks may contain security threats even when they may be from people that you know.

Any urgent request pertaining to your financial or personal information is likely to be a scam. If you think that a particular link may infect your computer with a virus or be used to steal your information, do not click. You can get in touch with the sender of the email or message to verify where it came from.

Passwords for Mobile Devices

Use a password to lock your mobile devices to prevent people from accessing your data. Since your phone can land in the wrong hands, it is not a good idea to fill it with your personal and financial information.