How to Stay Safe Online | Internet Security Alliance

The security of all banking activities & internet banking account is of the utmost concern for you and your bank as well. The security experts & professionals already invested in various security measures to help protect you and your money. Here I'm trying to continue educating you on the security to stay safe online, hereby publishing the best security practices and online safety tips. Please read and take the note from the same below. I hope you may find this page useful and informative.

Staying safe online —
People used to search; what does it mean to stay safe? How do you stay safe? How do you stay safe on the Internet? What are internet safety tips for students? Any list of DO's and DON'Ts to follow while doing online transactions? And so on. There are 100 ways to stay safe online published on the net, but I have listed the best and most effective methods to protect yourself on the internet particularly for online banking.

I understand that safety and security are of the most important things to fight against the dangers on the internet especially in the banking operations. The bank makes the investments and wants to make sure all of their existing and prospective customers are well informed about the security drills and tips.

Your bank is committed to securing the safety of your account information and maintaining the security of all your banking accounts and its access. From time to time, the financial organization and many banking websites can be affected by massive and irrelevant website traffic from malicious sources (DDoS attack), which can block clients from accessing & using their banking accounts online. The security professionals are aware of such threats & attacks conducted against the users and their bank accounts and want to reassure you that they use advanced technology to further protect you from scams and they also continuously monitors the banking websites to ensure it remains available to all the customers. The fraud detection team working continuously for monitoring the clients' accounts, to detect fraud or unauthorized use, that often helps to get early warnings before you get aware of it.

Not just for the online safety, but as an ATM cardholder, you should regularly keep yourself updated assured that you're trying to learn new ways to help secure and protect you and your account and to prevent attack by suspicious activity on your card. This page is totally intended at improving security awareness, and with the precautions, it will increase the comfort and confidence to perform safe and secured online banking operations. Not only just tightening your security on the browser but learn to have a secure banking experience from your mobile device too. Check out internet safety rules & what not to do online to stay safe & secure online.

Staying Safe Online

Staying safe online is crucial. Here are some simple tips: Use strong passwords. Be cautious while sharing personal info. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unfamiliar files. Keep your devices and software updated. Be mindful of what you share on social media. Use secure Wi-Fi connections. Don't fall for online scams or phishing emails. Be careful with online transactions. Think before posting or sending messages. Trust your instincts and report any suspicious activity. Educate yourself about online threats. Protect your privacy and be a responsible digital citizen. Stay safe and enjoy the digital world!

Why is it important to stay safe online?

Staying safe and secure is important to protect your privacy, credentials, personal information, and private data online. Being active on the internet there are chances your personal information could be stolen or deleted without your concern. The more public information you post on the internet can make it easier for the attacker to steal. So every user should protect himself and others from online harm and risks which may threaten their personal information.

Always protect your information and devices from any online attack like viruses, malware, spyware, adware, ransomware, clickjacking, IP spoofing, URL spoofing, phishing, and much more.

How to stay safe online | Internet Security Alliance

Please note that this page is construed as encouragement or support to stay safe online with the following objectives:

• Fighting against the hack, penetration or any fraud attempt to gain unauthorized access to your banking account in violation of applicable law.
• Preventing the attempts to disclose, use & gaining any private, classified or confidential data, including any customer information.

Learn the best practices to remain safe and how you protect yourself to stay safe online:

1. Always check the website link.

While making any sensitive or high-risk online banking transactions including money transfer or any with your own credit, debit card, you must use your card only at authorized, reputed and confirmed official websites as there are fewer chances of card fraud on a secure website.

The green address bar on the website is a security feature adopted by the latest browsers that allow you to know and validate that the site you are transacting has undergone an extended security audit.

Always check and ensure that the web address of the website, i.e. official link (URL) where you are making your online transactions.

2. Protect while you connect.

When you access your online accounts for making the transactions your information is protected by 128-bit SSL encryption. Encryption is a technology that ensures the information secured and transmitted over the internet. It helps ensure that hackers or other third parties can't access or use the data while your transactions are being processed.

Make sure the link starts with 'HTTPS' and not by 'HTTP'.

Having a habit to check between an unsecured and a secure website connection will help you stay safe while surfing the web.

3. Keep your computer & system secure.

Always perform sensitive or high-risk online banking transactions from a secure computer.

Your operating system must be updated with the latest security updates & patches, and also the anti-virus, antispyware software must have the latest virus database to fight against any kind of attack.

Also, you must configure the personal firewall as because it is a network security system that controls and checks the network traffic based on the predecided security protocols.

You may also like to read; 7 Best Ways To Protect Against Petya/ GoldenEye Ransomware | Online Security

4. Changing ATM.

As per the RBI guidelines, you must replace your ATM cards to chip-based cards, as it is the latest standard in ATM card security. And do not keep the PIN given by the bank together with your ATM card.

Also change your card PIN (Personal Identification Number) periodically.

5. Avoid disclosing personal info.

Do not disclose any private information online like your birth date, billing address, etc.,

Sharing your private data on the Internet can be misused in order to unlock your account password.

6. Avoiding identity theft.

Never share card details, social security number, or bank account number over the phone or with anyone in person as it is an easy way for cybercriminals to get access to your confidential card information and make the online transactions.

Always keep your shred papers that have your personal information, financial records, or even the bank passbooks, ATM cards in a safe place.

7. Stop sending bank information by email.

You should never, ever send your credit or debit card number through email unless you know the recipient is reliable and secured.

Avoid sending & sharing 16 digit card numbers or any account details over the email to prevent any malicious use by intruders.

RECOMMENDED; 15 Ways To Secure Gmail Account From Hackers | Google Security Tips

Related; Is Antivirus Required For Android Phones? Tips to Remove Malware from Phone | Android Security

8. Check statement of accounts.

Checking your account statements & ATM transaction can help you identify any misuse or fraud.

Always review account statements related to the card time-to-time and in case of any error, notify the card issuer bank.

9. Ensure card options.

Verify whether your card is enabled or disabled for international use; if it is not necessary just disable the international transactions on your credit/debit card.

Check for any additional options such as limiting the usage of cards on different payment channels like other bank ATM, eCommerce websites, domestic/international usage periodically.

10. CARD=CASH

Never leave your bank passbook, credit cards, ID or any valuables unattended.

Always treat your card like cash.

11. Always check bank notifications.

Your bank will automatically send an email notification to confirm whenever you change the password.

By using the account monitoring tools, these bank notifications allow an appropriate acknowledgment to all the customers automatically who did not make any changes.

These bank notifications provide you peace of mind especially for those who did initiate the change themselves.

12. Authenticate yourself.

While making any online banking transactions, such as money transfers, or any with your cards, if your login attempt gets failed or showing unauthorized, then it will ask for additional questions or send you a one-time-use passcode (OTP) in order to verify your identity before accessing the account. Furthermore; if required your bank will send you a notification with immediate action to reset your password to safely recover access.

Also never ever share OTP with anyone, neither the bank nor any customer care asks password or OTP to help get access your account.

13. Emergency assistance.

To get in touch with customer care, keep the helpline phone numbers, text, email ID with you for any kind of help.

If you get a one-time-passcode (OPT) on your mobile at the inappropriate time where you are away from making any transactions or banking activity, you must understand there has been unauthorized account access. And you need to report it as early as possible to the concerned team by emergency assistance or helpline numbers.

14. Don't entertain suspicious SMS.

This is the most common trick the hackers use whenever they wanted to get access to your account or asking for money. Instead of replying to those suspicious messages, just ignore or find another way to contact.

Not just SMS but don't entertain such a scam email messages or if you've found any security issue, I would suggest you report such messages asap to your bank officials.

Must read; Top 12 Best Ways To Identify & Protect Against Phishing Scams | Email Phishing Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

Please take a moment to read through our FAQ section for quick answers to common questions.

Bottom Line

I hope that all these above tips would enhance the security awareness & education initiatives on the part of customers in creating a cyber-secure culture where they could stay safe, secure and have a pleasurable online banking experience.

What do you think about the banking you have an account with? Are they providing the best security for you and your account? What steps you take to ensure the security of your bank accounts? Let me know via the comment section shown below.