While the internet has made people’s lives much easier and more convenient, the technological revolution has also brought with it a negative side effect: hackers looking to steal your money. Banking has become more digitised and integrated into people’s daily lives. As users’ reliance on cellphones and the internet has grown, they have been compelled to use financial services via the internet. While the internet has made people’s lives much easier and more convenient, the technological revolution has also brought with it a negative side effect: hackers looking to steal your money. Their jobs are made easier because customers occasionally fail to take precautions when using the internet to a bank.
Tips for avoiding being hacked
Don’t give anyone your personal information: Give strangers no personal information such as your name, phone number, bank account number, date of birth, Aadhaar card, or PAN card. These are the details that can assist you in cracking your password.
Change your password on a regular basis: Make it a habit to change your online banking password on a regular basis. Make sure your passwords are unique every time you use them, and that they contain numbers, letters, and special characters.
For your internet banking URL, enter the following information: People frequently use search engines to look up the names of their banks, after which they click on the first link that appears. This, however, may cause issues because the link may be fraudulent or a user trap. Always enter the correct banking URL in the URL field to be directed to the correct website.
Do not log in using public computers: Public computers are highly vulnerable to hackers and should never be used for financial transactions. These computers are used by thousands of people, and you never know what software is tracking your username and password information.
Use licenced antivirus software at all times: Using licenced antivirus software helps to create a barrier against hackers. Antivirus software protects your computer from malicious file downloads, online hacker links, and other types of cybercrime.
Keep an eye on your savings account on a regular basis: Always keep an eye on your account balance. If you notice any unusual transactions or activities, notify your bank or the police immediately.
Although banks’ internet banking systems are quite secure and resistant to hacker attacks, adhering to the above guidelines will keep you safe from any unwanted activity or cybercrime.
Authentication with multiple factors should be used: Activating two-factor, multi-factor, or any authentication for as many of your online accounts as possible is arguably the most effective way to protect your online accounts. Along with a password, the method employs a secondary piece of information, which is frequently a code generated by an app or transmitted via SMS.
Because the codes are frequently accessible on the phone in your pocket, this additional piece of information aids in confirming that it is you who is attempting to log in. Even if you have a simple password (which we’ll cover later), an attacker will be unable to access your account with multi-factor authentication enabled unless they have your phone.
To keep track of your passwords, use a password manager: If you use a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane to keep track of all of these random, secure passwords, it will be easier to remember them all. Many password managers can also generate strong, randomised passwords for you and perform security audits to alert you when your passwords are weak or being used across multiple accounts.
Acquaint yourself with imposters: Take precautions to familiarise yourself with these imposters, whether it’s a phishing scam or an ATM card-skimmer. ATMs that have been hacked typically show signs of tampering.
While phishing emails may appear legitimate, the email address used to send them is not. Check for spelling errors, fraudulent email addresses, and fake URLs before you click on anything. Also, never give out your login information.
