precautions while using internet banking

These both put your files and system at risk for being opened by anyone on the wireless network, not just hackers. In Windows, these options can be found under Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. In Mac OS X, they are under System Preferences > Sharing. If you are within range of public wireless networks but don t need to be online, turn off your wireless capabilities altogether. On some devices, there is simply an on/off switch; on others, you will need to configure this yourself (ex. on a Mac, click the Wi Fi icon and turn off AirPort).

The best companies will have many security devices in place. You may see a gold lock at the bottom of the page to indicate a secure site. When giving any bank details or other information, make sure the connection is secure and the site is trustworthy.

Choose downloading resources that are up front about price and ratings and vet their downloads (ex. download.cnet.com). When in doubt, google the name of the site or download along with the word

If your computer was hacked through the internet then all your information may have been compromised. Update your virus protection software and remove the virus. If important documents and information has been stolen or compromised, inform your bank or job accordingly. Report any crime to the police.

Never access the e banking using a link that has been provided to you in an e mail. The Bank will never provide you the e banking link in an e mail nor will it allow or request you to open an e banking account online. The PIN/TAN system where the PIN represents a password, used for the login and TANs representing one time passwords to authenticate transactions. TANs can be distributed in different ways, the most popular one is to send a list of TANs to the online banking user by postal letter. Another way of using TANs is to generate them by need using a security token. These token generated TANs depend on the time and a unique secret, stored in the security token (two factor authentication or 2FA).

Also never provide your identification data contract number, password or mobile code per e mail to anyone. The Bank will never request you to do so. More advanced TAN generators (chipTAN) also include the transaction data into the TAN generation process after displaying it on their own screen to allow the user to discover man in the middle attacks carried out by trojans trying to secretly manipulate the transaction data in the background of the PC.

Most bank Web sites have an About Us section or something similar that describes the institution. You may find a brief history of the bank, the official name and address of the banks headquarters, and information about its insurance coverage from the FDIC.

For example, watch out for copycat Web sites that deliberately use a name or Web address very similar to, but not the same as, that of a real financial institution. The intent is to lure you into clicking onto their Web site and giving your personal information, such as your account number and password. Always check to see that you have typed the correct Web site address for your bank before conducting a transaction.

To verify a banks insurance status, look for the familiar FDIC logo or the words Member FDIC or FDIC Insured on the Web site. Also, you should check the FDICs online database of FDIC insured institutions. You can search for an institution by going to Bank Find (formerly Is My Bank Insured?). Search by name, city, state or zip code of the bank, and click the Find button. A positive match will display the official name of the bank, the date it became insured, its insurance certificate number, the main office location for the bank (and branches), its primary government regulator, and other links to detailed information about the bank. If your bank does not appear on this list, contact the FDIC.