Online banking is convenient, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t take the time to protect yourself. A survey by the Federal Trade Commission found that over 10% of online customers have lost money due to online banking scams. Women are more likely to be affected by online banking scams than men, and people between the ages of 18 and 24 are most likely to fall victim to scams.
1. Install a Virtual Keyboard
If you’re going to use an online banking tool, you should be sure to install a virtual keyboard. This will keep you from having to type in your password every time you want to access your account.
2. Use a Password Manager
Password managers can help you avoid the risk of falling victim to phishing scams and malware. You can use a password manager to keep track of your passwords and store them in one place. This gives you instant access to your login information when you need it, and prevents you from putting it in places where it can be stolen.
3. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure that requires users to enter two different pieces of information when logging into their accounts—a password and a code sent to their mobile device. When 2FA is enabled on your account, the code will be sent to your mobile device whenever you try to log in.
4. Take Preventative Steps
You should never use the same password for multiple accounts, but it’s easy to do. You should also never store your passwords in a place where they’re simple to guess. If you need to use the same password for multiple sites, use a password manager that can store your passwords in one place. You can also take steps to prevent yourself from guessing passwords when logging into your site or app. One way to do this is by using a password manager that generates random passwords for you.
5. Secure Your Devices With Anti-Virus Software
A lot of computer viruses and malware today are designed to target computers with anti-virus software. If your computer has anti-virus software installed, it will protect you from these types of threats. You should also make sure that your computer is protected with anti-virus software. You can install this on your computer by downloading it from the manufacturer’s site or by going through a third party that specializes in this type of software.
6. Tell A Friend How You Feel About Scams
You shouldn’t have to deal with online banking scams on your own. If you think someone has been trying to scam you, tell a friend about it. This way, you won’t feel so alone and vulnerable. Having someone with you who can help you is a good idea no matter what type of online banking scam you’re dealing with. If someone is trying to scam you, report the incident right away so that law enforcement can investigate it.
7. Keep An Eye Out For Phishing And Malware
Phishing scams are designed to trick users into giving up their passwords or other sensitive information such as credit card numbers. These types of scams are becoming more common because they are often effective in getting people to give up their information. There are many ways that phishing attacks can happen—you just have to be aware of them and take steps to protect yourself from them. If you think someone is trying to phish you, report it right away. The FBI has a number for reporting phishing scams: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Malware is malicious software designed to steal information from computers or perform other harmful activities. Malware can come in many different forms, including phishing attacks and viruses, and they can affect computers that don’t have anti-virus software installed. You should make sure that your computer is protected with anti-virus software and that you keep your device safe by taking steps like installing updates and never downloading applications from websites you don’t trust. If you think someone has installed malware on your device, contact your device’s manufacturer for help removing it and reporting it as soon as possible.
Online banking should be secure and easy for customers, but scammers are using online banking tools to scam people out of money. If you decide that online banking is something that you want to do, make sure that you take steps to protect yourself from scammers and malware attacks.