According to statistics, driving is dangerous.
Yet every day, millions of people get in their car and drive down the road.
We’re also told online and mobile banking technology can be hazardous.
Yet every year, more and more Australians rely on the internet to do their banking and shopping.
We’ve all been taught maintaining a roadworthy car mitigates the risk of an accident.
So-to developing good habits to protect your digital security is essential to safely operate your online accounts.
I encourage people to follow a few simple but effective rules, to reduce the risk someone might access personal accounts or information:
- Only use web sites that are HTTPS protected.
- Ensure a secure login process is available when using your accounts.
- Ensure financial transactions require an additional security code.
- Ensure your smart phone and tablet has PIN or PASSWORD access.
- Only use bank authorised apps.
- Never send credit card details via email or text message.
- Don’t let your browser save your credit card numbers and passwords.
- Avoid using free WI FI and public networks to do banking.
- Use security software to protect devices.
- Don’t use the same password for everything.
With a growing preference to online banking and shopping, people are often surprised to learn that in a short period of time many browsers, web sites and apps are automatically holding their information.
To keep things running well, a good habit is to schedule some time once a month to ‘service’ your devices.
Review your online activity and check the following:
- What sites and apps did you access?
- Did they capture / store your personal information?
- Are you comfortable they have it?
- If not, clear it or ask to have it cleared.
- Change passwords and PINS.
- Are my new passwords strong?
- Is there anything weird on my bank statements?
- If so, contact provider immediately.
- Clear browsing history and cookies.
- Ensure security software is working and up-to-date.
New technology is making peoples’ lives easier and so we’re constantly thinking about new ways to provide customers with a smarter approach to banking. We’ve all heard the scary stories, but fear of the unknown shouldn’t jeopardise peoples’ willingness to adopt new and better services.
We can’t do without our cars and we can’t do without the internet. But it’s timely to remind ourselves as much as good behaviour improves safety on the roads; good behaviour using the internet improves our safety doing the banking or shopping.
People should check their financial services provider has a solid Online Banking Security Policy that is easy to locate, or contact their financial services provider if they have any concerns.
Loan Avenue ensures all of its partners have comprehensive Online Banking Security Policies available and regularly reviews these important processes with them.
We've got you covered, so give our team a call on 1300 56 26 28 if you have any questions about online banking or home loans and speak to a real person - now that's a refreshing alternative.
