How to Use Net Banking Safely in the Cashless Era

Internet banking or net banking is one cashless method that people of all ages can use to make online transactions from the comforts of their homes. With proper knowledge and security, net banking can be used conveniently as a payment gateway to recharge your mobile phone balance and pay your satellite TV subscription, book movie tickets, or even purchase groceries and medicines and so on.

Convenience of Net Banking

• As long as you have a bank account, net banking user ID and password, and internet connectivity, you can do just about anything – transfer funds, stop a cheque payment, pay bills, pay loans and mortgages, view your account balance, file your taxes and even request for a checkbook.

• To access net banking, you would need to log on to the website of your bank and then click on the online banking link that takes you to a secure webpage where you need to fill in your user ID and password. Thereafter, you just have to follow simple steps to add a beneficiary and make payments.

• Net banking is one of the simplest and most convenient ways to enjoy banking on the go, without having to stand in long queues. However, what worries people is safety, especially when you read newspaper articles about people becoming victims of fraud.

Net Banking and Security Considerations

Yes, there are fraudsters galore scouring the Internet to find their next victim. Some are technically sound to steal your user ID and password without your knowledge while others may just be lucky when guessing your user ID and password. This makes it necessary to be alert to the possible attempts of gaining unlawful access to your bank account.

Here are some net banking security tips that you should be aware of if you want to make cashless payments a norm through net banking.

1. Use Only Bank Website

Always use your bank website to log on to your account. Banks use 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to ensure that when you type in your user ID and password, no third-party can get access to the information. This keeps hackers at bay. So double-check the website address before you feed in any information to keep yourself from getting onto a fraudulent website that is trying to portray itself as your bank’s website.

2. Don’t Click Links in Emails

You may have read of people getting emails that look as though they have come from the bank. These emails are known as phishing emails and can inadvertently cause you to disclose your online banking information or credit card details. Regardless of how authentic an email appears, refrain from clicking any link within it. If you have doubts, just call the customer helpline of your bank or open a new browser page and enter your bank’s website. A bank will never ask you for your user ID or password, so do not divulge it to anyone, be it on the phone or online.

3. Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Software

Do not view anti-virus and anti-malware software as an expense. In fact, it is an investment that will always keep your computer and smartphone safe. Installing a state-of-the-art anti-virus on your PC or laptop will prevent downloads of spy software called Trojans or spyware. Spyware collects information through your computer without your knowledge and then transmits it to hackers who may be sitting in some obscure corner of the world. Using this information, hackers can gain access to your bank account or credit card.

4. Change Your Net Banking Password Regularly

It is important you change your net banking password every month. Do not share the password with another individual, and refrain from using easy passwords, like your date of birth, first names, or your mobile number. Create a password that contains both numbers and the alphabet. Do not save your net banking user ID and password in your browser, as there is software that can hack into browsers and retrieve this information.

5. Update Your Browser

Whether you are using Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Bing, or Yahoo, make sure you update your browser on a regular basis so that the latest security patch is incorporated into it. Use a trustworthy and reliable website to update your browser.

6. Log Out after Using Net Banking

Once you finish using the net banking facility, log out from your account and close the browser completely. This will not only terminate your session on the bank’s website, but it also will erase any background data stored on the browser.

Net banking is safe as long as you take measures to protect yourself and your sensitive data. To that end, we are delighted to offer you useful tips from Internet Marketing School to ensure your marketing success in more ways than one. Those who are not accustomed to the benefits of digitalization would do well to learn about how to make a transition to a cashless life and be prepared for the future when India turns into a cashless society, which itself will go a long way in heralding your digital marketing success. Digitalization is the way of the future and it is better to embrace all efforts now and be one among the Gen Y than to feel left out later!