- Review all privacy and policy information
- Use unique and hard to guess login information
- Protect your computer
- Check your account balance regularly
- Do not access your account from public locations
- Verify email correspondence from bank
- If your account is compromised, take swift action
Attacks That Target Online Banking
Several types of electronic fraud specifically target online banking. Some of the more popular types are described below.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks use fake email messages from an agency or individual pretending to represent your bank or financial institution. The email asks you to provide sensitive information (name, password, account number, and so forth) and provides links to a counterfeit website. If you follow the link and provide the requested information, intruders can access your personal account information and finances.
In some cases, pop-up windows can appear in front of a copy of a genuine bank website. The real website address is displayed; however, any information you type directly into the pop-up will go to unauthorized users. (In a similar scheme, called “Vishing,” a person calls you and pretends to be a bank representative seeking to verify account information.)
Malware
Malware is the term for maliciously crafted software code. Special computer programs now exist that enable intruders to fool you into believing that traditional security is protecting you during online banking transactions. Attacks involving malware are a factor in online financial crime. In fact, it is possible for this type of malicious software to perform the following operations.
Account Information Theft
Malware can capture the keystrokes for your login information. Malware can also monitor and capture other data you use to authenticate your identity (for example, special images that you selected or “magic words” you chose).
Fake Website Substitution
Malware can generate web pages that appear to be legitimate but are not. They replace your bank’s legitimate website with a page that can look identical, except that the web address will vary in some way. Such a “man-in-the-middle attack” site enables an attacker to intercept your user information. The attacker adds additional fields to the copy of the web page opened in your browser. When you submit the information, it is sent to both the bank and the malicious attacker without your knowledge.
Account Hijacking
Malware can hijack your browser and transfer funds without your knowledge. When you attempt to login at a bank website, the software launches a hidden browser window on your computer, logs in to your bank, reads your account balance, and creates a secret fund transfer to the intruder-owned account.
Pharming
Pharming attacks involve the installation of malicious code on your computer; however, they can take place without any conscious action on your part. In one type of pharming attack, you open an email, or an email attachment, that installs malicious code on your computer. Later, you go to a fake website that closely resembles your bank or financial institution. Any information you provide during a visit to the fake site is made available to malicious users.
All the attack types listed above share one characteristic; they are created using technology, but in order to succeed, they need you to provide information.
In phishing attacks, you must provide the information or visit links.
With malware, you must be tricked into performing actions you would not normally do. You would have to install the malware on your computer either by running a program, such as an email attachment, or by visiting a website through email or instant message link. Then, you would have to submit your bank login information. Your financial information would be at risk only after you performed all these steps.
With pharming attacks, you must open an email or email attachment to become vulnerable. You then visit a fake website and, without your knowledge, provide information that compromises your financial identity.
Tips for Safe Online Banking
When it comes to online banking, there is no way to absolutely guarantee your safety. However, good practices do exist that can reduce the risks posed to your online accounts. The following sections describe these practices.
For security purposes, choose an online personal identification number (PIN) that is unique and hard to guess.
Be sure to change your PIN regularly. Do not choose a PIN that contains personal information such as your birthday or Social Security number; an attacker might be able to guess these.
Regardless of the circumstances, never give someone access to your current PIN number.
Install anti-virus, firewall, and anti-spyware programs on your computer and keep them up to date.
Installing and updating this software protects your computer and its contents against unauthorized access. You should turn on automatic updates for these programs or, if prompted, always agree to download system updates as soon as they are available.
Regularly check your online account balance for unauthorized activity.
Timing is a factor in your response to unauthorized electronic fund transactions. If you receive a paper account balance, make sure that you reconcile it with your online balance.
Avoid situations where personal information can be intercepted, retrieved, or viewed by unauthorized individuals.
You should conduct online bank transactions in locations that are not subject to public monitoring. When you are entering login information, you should avoid using unsecured or public network connections (for example, at a coffee shop or library). As a general rule, you should avoid using any computer that other people can freely access; the end result could be unauthorized access of your financial information. Remember, it is possible for your account information to be stored in the web browser’s temporary memory.
If you receive email correspondence about a financial account, verify its authenticity by contacting your bank or financial institution.
You should not reply to any email requests for security information, warnings of an account suspension, opportunities to make easy money, overseas requests for financial assistance, and so forth. Also, links found in these suspicious emails should not be clicked. Forward a copy of the suspicious email to the Federal Trade Commission at [email protected] and then delete the email from your mailbox.
If you have disclosed financial information to a fraudulent website, file reports with the following organizations:
- Your bank
- The local police
- The Federal Trade Commission – ftc.gov
- The Internet Crime Complaint Center – ic3.gov
- The three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
Conclusion
Online banking involves certain risks. It is important to educate yourself about these risks, how unauthorized access to your financial information occurs, and the steps you can take to protect your financial information. Learning about your rights and responsibilities as an online banking consumer can make a difference to your financial well-being.