While smartphones and online websites have huge advantages – letting you pay bills and transfer cash in seconds wherever you have a signal – criminals are finding ways to use online banking against us too.”You need to follow a combination of good online hygiene and take additional precautions where necessary for peace of mind,” said Simon Migliano, head of research at cyber security website Top10VPN .”Mobile banking apps should all be communicating to the bank via secure SSL encryption, so in theory it’s should be safe to use a banking app,” he explained.”But, that’s only if you’re using the official app for your bank, as there’s the potential to download copycat versions on smartphones.” And that’s far from the only risk. “There’s no guarantee that how, when and where you’re using your banking app means it remains safe,” Migliano added.”You could be using it in the airport or on the train on public wi-fi, in which case it becomes possible for criminals to intercept your personal details.”
Public wi-fi isn’t the only risk, either. There are far lower-technology ways criminals can get your details too.Online privacy settings don’t protect you from “Shoulder Surfers”, Migliano said. These are hackers that obtain information in the same way that they gather pin numbers at ATM machines – by looking at what you type into your phone when you log on.
We caught up with some experts to work out the where the risks lie – and how you can stay safe.
Connecting to unprotected wi-fi and Bluetooth devices can expose your personal information to cybercriminals – so avoid these networks when handling sensitive information.You should never access your mobile or online banking data through an unsecured wireless network, such as in a hotel or café.With this in mind, remember to update your Bluetooth and wi-fi history to remove any ‘remembered’ networks. This will ensure you never connect to a public wi-fi network without authorising it first. According to password protection website Keeper Security , leaving your Bluetooth open could leave your phone open to intruders.
Source: Mirror
