Do you often use your smartphone to check your bank account? If so, read this article carefully. You will understand, that with appropriate security measures, you can manage your bank account comfortably from your mobile phone.
More and more people are using their smartphones to manage their bank account remotely, through mobile banking apps. It is a convenient, fast and usable method available at any time of day, without moving from home and queuing at the counter. But many users still declare to have doubts about the security level of banking apps.
Safety Tips to Manage Your Bank Account
#1. Connect to Secure Networks Only
A secure Internet connection is essential if you want to log to your bank account using your smartphone app. Public WiFi channels, such as those at terminals or bars, are dangerous: someone may hack to your smartphone and steal your data. If you need to use this type of network, it’s recommended to use apps that simulate data tunnels and hide your connection.
#2. Use The Official App of Your Bank, not The Web Version
Of course, you could access your bank from the web browser of the phone, but in addition to being impractical, this method can expose you too careless mistakes, such as to forget to close your session. If your bank has an official app, it is advisable to use it to manage your bank account instead of the mobile web version. And of course, do not forget to log out when you’re done.
#3. Do not Keep Banking Information on Your Phone
Sometimes it can be tempting to take a photo of the business card from your bank or to note the pin code of your card in the phone directory. But you should avoid these practices: they could turn against you in case of theft or loss of the phone. If you really need a notepad, use apps that keep information protected by a password.
#4. Install an Antivirus for Android or iPhone
An antivirus for your Android or iPhone smartphone helps you to verify if the installed apps and visited websites meet the necessary security standards. Of course, antivirus can’t replace a good dose of common sense but can lend a helping hand and offer a security supplement to your mobile operating systems.
#5. Activate The Anti-theft Function of Your Phone (with Remote Erase)
Losing your phone does not only mean losing your phone book. In most cases, it also means the loss of the device your bank uses to verify your identity remotely when you contact it. Be proactive and activate the anti-theft function on Android, iPhone or Windows Phone: so you can locate your phone and if necessary, delete your data remotely.
#6. Turn on Mobile Screen Lock
If you use your bank on the phone, blocking the screen with a PIN or a pattern becomes mandatory. If you don’t do it, anyone who finds your phone could open the banking application, and if your session is still open, the thief will be able to see all of your personal details like the latest transactions or your account balance.
#7. Remember about Updates of Your Smartphone System and Apps
If you always forget about updating your smartphone and apps to the newest versions, your device can be an easy snack for a hacker. Thanks to these vulnerabilities, they can steal data and money. As annoying as the regular update of your apps and the system is, you must comply with it to prevent malicious software from taking your personal data.
#8. In Case of Doubts, Contact Your Bank
Banks really want you to use their apps without the inconvenience and without hacking your account. If you contact their customer services, they will do their best to inform you about everything you want to know and ensure the security of your account. One would expect no less, with the commissions they levy. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate and call your bank and ask questions about the security of their apps.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are numerous ways to prevent your bank app from malicious software. You can easily manage your bank account on a smartphone with these security measures. It’s clear that using your smartphone, you want to prevent your best credit cards from being hacked and you want to feel secure during bank transactions. Unfortunately, sometimes people forget about basic safety standards and when they realize that something terrible happened, it’s already too late.