Security Tips on Using Net Banking Service

With proliferation of low cost land-line and wireless internet,new ways of doing business have evolved and internet banking is one such area which is evolving at a great pace.Money transaction and bill payment through online net banking account has now become a commonplace which we could hardly imagine almost two decades ago.With availability of portable smart mobile phones and tablets internet banking is gaining even more popularity.However,downside to the evolving technology is that internet banking is still vulnerable and hackers and crackers can easily breach the security of net banking services though advance security measures are being adopted by net banking services to make internet-banking secure and hard to break into but still for sake of his own good the user of net banking service must adopt some precautionary measures while using net banking services.

Here are some precautionary measures that must be adopted while using net banking services :

1. Keep your Log in Info to Yourself Only: You should never disclose your password,log in name or secret word or answer to secret question to anyone not even to your relatives.This also includes employees of the bank net banking services of which you are using. 
2. Report Suspicious activity or breach of Secret Info Regarding your Netbanking Account to your Bank:If you ever suspect that anyone has some how come to know about your log in info,password or secret word of your internet banking account you should immediately inform your concerned bank and you should change your secret word,password and pin code.
3. Do not Share you email ID: Do not share your email address that you use for your net banking services with anyone. Because that email id is used by your bank to communicate with you your transaction status and any other secret information like temporary password in case you forget password of your net banking account.So that email id is crucial for security of your net banking service.
4. Beware of Identity Thieves and Phishing Scams: Phishing is an attempt to criminally or fraudulently acquire sensitive information like user name,password,secret word,pin code,credit card details or any other log in info by deceiving as a trust worthy entity in electronic or internet based communication. It is also known as identity theft.It is a crime punishable  by laws in some countries.In phishing attempt the hackers create an imitation of an existing legitimate website or they create an imitation of the legitimate email address to trick a user into revealing his sensitive personal information like password or pin code to gain access to his credit card or bank account for theft.
5. Do not use Publicly shared PC for net-banking Service & Control your PC: Do not use publicly shared PC for internet banking.Also do not allow anyone to install any program on your PC until unless you are sure that program is not any security risk for your PC.
6. Ensure that you are truly Using Net Banking Website: Check the website address before signing to your internet banking account.Look for SSL (Secure Secure Socket Layer) Secure Connection Symbol.Good net banking web sites use strong cryptographic standards such as SSL to make the information secure that is being exchanged over internet through internet-banking website.So look for such symbol on the website while using internet banking service to make sure that the internet banking website you are using is not fake.
7. Never save your Log In Name or Password on your Web Browser: Most browsers offer the feature to store your user name and password but this feature is not good from point of view of cyber security and safety.So for your own good never use this feature of your web browser while using internet banking service.
8. Change your Password on Regular Basis : You should change your password regularly and rather frequently.Never select a password that can be easily guessed or that can be associated with any of your personal information like your name,date of birth  or mobile number.Use a combination of letters( both capital and small) and numbers so that your password could be made more strong and difficult to be guessed.
9. Keep your Computer Updated with Latest Antivirus and Firewall: To keep your computer secure from virus attacks keep your antivirus and firewall updated to latest definitions and versions.It is advisable to buy some antivirus and firewall instead of using freeware or cracked software available on the web.
10. Beware of Surrounding Environment while viewing your Personal Information : While making online transactions or using internet banking service make sure that no one is around to view your personal information like password,pin code or any other secret information.You should never leave your computer unattended while you are logged in to your internet banking account.After using Internet banking service properly log out of your internet banking account and close your browser after using your Internet banking service.
11. Regularly Check your Account Statements : Regularly check your transaction history and details while using your internet banking service.If you are not sure about any past transaction that appears in your transaction history confirm it with your concerned bank branch regarding validity of that transaction.Take a note of your last log in date and time to rule out the possibility of any unauthorized access to your internet banking account.