Online banks have changed the game and have a lot of good things to offer their customers. Customers may also get lower transaction fees and better interest rates for their checking and savings accounts. People switch to Farmers Bank online and enjoy the ease of modern banking for more than just these two reasons. As with most things you do online, you need to take security steps to keep hackers and thieves from getting into your account. There are many ways to work online in a safe way. Check out these four tips for safe online banking that you can use right now.
Make Strong Passwords
The FDIC has to back up most online banks. This lets you know that you can trust their services. Even if you have the label, hackers can still get into your accounts if you don’t take the right steps. One way to protect yourself is to make a unique, hard-to-crack password. It’s important to know that hackers can get into your account if you have a weak password. These hackers may break the law and get into your account to steal your money or personal information. Once this happens, it can be hard to put things back the way they were. The best way to stop hackers is to make passwords that are hard to guess. It’s also important to change your passwords often and not use the same one for different sites. Do not write down your passwords in a place where other people can easily find them. Try to remember them instead of writing them down if you can.
Keep an Eye on the Account Often
Make sure you keep track of how money comes into and goes out of your online account. Keeping track is easier now that all you need is a smartphone and safe internet. This is how you can find things that aren’t normal. As soon as any signs of fraud are found, they should be reported to the bank’s customer service. Any small and sudden change in your bank account should also set off an alarm, which you can only know if you keep an eye on it. If your account is hacked, you may need to show your bank proof that the transactions did not come from your account.
Clear the Device’s History and Cookies
There may be times when you need to log in to your bank account using a public Wi-Fi network. In this case, you shouldn’t leave any traces of your bank login or transactions on your device. Instead, you should clear the device’s history and cache and might even want to set a new password to make it safer. Public networks can make you more likely to be hacked because your device’s traffic can be intercepted, and your passwords can be figured out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry in these situations.
How to Keep Your Home Wi-Fi as Safe as Possible
A wireless router is a convenient way to connect your computers and other devices, but it also lets anyone within range access your network. This is especially dangerous when you use public Wi-Fi hotspots, which can be set up in coffee shops, libraries, and other places where a lot of people gather.
If you’re worried about keeping your information safe on public Wi-Fi networks, you can secure your home network in a number of ways. Keep reading to learn some ways to keep your home Wi-Fi safe.
Change the default password: When setting up a new router, the first thing you should do is change the password. All routers have an admin panel where you can change settings like the network name and password. If you get locked out of your router’s admin panel, you may need to call customer service to reset it. If this happens, call your ISP’s customer service department and ask them to reset it for you.
Install virus protection software: Antivirus software is useful not just for laptops but also for desktop computers that are connected to wireless networks. Antivirus software will protect you if one of your devices gets malware or spyware that tries to steal personal information from other computers in your network (like emails or usernames).
Set up Safety Alerts on Your Phone and Email
Set up mobile alerts: If someone uses your account without your permission, you can get a text message or an email. Log into your account and go to Alerts & Notifications to set this up. Under Account Activity, you’ll find a link to set up these alerts.
Set up email alerts: You can also get an email when something new happens with your accounts, like when a payment is made or when one is due. For most accounts, you can set this up by logging in and going to the alerts and notifications settings. If you sign up for Telebanking through our automated phone system, you can also get alerts by phone call or text message (ATM).
Pick an Online Bank That Is Safe to Use
If you care about your money, this should be your first and most important call. Hackers could make websites that look like they belong to banks. Before you send any personal information or money to the above account numbers, you should make sure that the online bank is real. First, make sure they are insured by the FDIC and have a lot of assets you can count on. Before you choose your deposit and ATM withdrawal methods, you should also look at how good the customer service is. The reputation of the online bank should also be looked at, especially if it has been around for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Safety online is important at all times, but it’s especially important when you’re banking online. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started. When you bank online, you should also know your bank’s rules and what you might have to pay for if your account is hacked. If you know these rules, you’ll feel better. At www.farmersbankidaho.com, you can find out more. Reach out to our staff if you have more questions.
