Keep Your Banking Information Safe
It would seem that the computer is becoming a bigger and
bigger part of our lives each and every day. There's a good reason for that
perception... it's true. One specific area that is becoming incredibly popular
is online banking. Customers love it because it is very convenient and a great
time saver. The banks love it because it automates a great many functions for
them and cuts down on their overhead.
The number one concern of anyone that deals with online
banking should be security. Putting your personal information over the Internet
can be risky, there is no denying that. Fraud and identity theft have become
huge problems in the modern age. There are any number of hackers and thieves
out there in cyberspace just waiting to prey on innocent people. They lurk in
the deep spaces of the Internet just waiting for some of your private
information that they can steal.
Fortunately for us, the financial institutions of the world
are very aware of this problem and are working aggressively to combat it. There
was a time when a bank's chief security concern was whether they would be
robbed or not. I think we've all seen the old movies about Bonnie & Clyde,
John Dillinger and the like...to say nothing of the daring train robberies of
the wild west. Now banks face a new and much deadlier challenge than ever
before, and instead of wearing a mask and using a gun, the bad guys are now
invisible and use keyboards. They can access information from the safety of
their homes and apartments. And even at the local coffee shop through wireless
connections.
Identity theft has now become so prevalent that thieves are
rifling through garbage to attain any information that they can use to steal
from their unsuspecting victims. With this said, there are some simple, common-sense approaches that will go a long way to securing personal bank information.
1. Do not share your passwords with anyone and make sure if
you write it done put it in a safe place where only you know where it is.
2. Keep important documents locked in a safe or safety
deposit box.
3. Shred documents that you no longer need and use a cross-cut shredder.
4. If you bank online, make sure your bank is using a
secure, encrypted site (It's OK to ask what security features they employ).
Make sure they use https in the address and you should see the lock symbol in
the lower right-hand corner of your browser.
5. When using an ATM make sure no one can see the codes you
enter.
These are just a few of the things that can be done to
keep banking information secure and to avoid possible crimes against you. While
many of these suggestions seem to be glaringly obvious, all too many times they
are taken for granted or just plain ignored. It is at these times when the
criminals are at their best. Individuals that grow careless and complacent are
exactly what criminals look for. Don't be counted as one of the careless!
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