Safe Online Banking
Your money is safe online when you follow a few simple rules. We'll show you exactly what to do and which tools to use.
7 Golden Rules for Safe Online Banking
Follow these rules every time you bank online and you'll be protected against the vast majority of banking fraud.
- 1
Never click links in emails or texts claiming to be from your bank.
Always open a new browser window and type your bank's website address directly. Banks will never email you a link to log in.
- 2
Use a unique, strong password for your bank account.
Your banking password should be different from every other password you use. A password manager makes this easy.
- 3
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every financial account.
This means even if someone steals your password, they can't get in without your phone. Your bank's app can walk you through this.
- 4
Only bank on secure, private Wi-Fi networks.
Never log into your bank on public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, airports). If you must, use a VPN to encrypt your connection.
- 5
Check your accounts at least once a week.
The sooner you spot unauthorized activity, the easier it is to fix. Set a weekly reminder to review your transactions.
- 6
Set up transaction alerts with your bank.
Most banks let you get a text or email for every transaction. Turn this on so you know the moment someone uses your account.
- 7
Never share your banking credentials with anyone.
Your bank will never ask for your full password over the phone or email. Anyone who does is a scammer.
Banking Security Guides
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Essential Tools for Safe Banking
A VPN and a password manager are the two tools that make the biggest difference for banking safety.

NordVPN
Encrypt your internet connection when banking on the go. Essential for public Wi-Fi protection.

1Password
Generate and store unique, strong passwords for every bank and financial account.
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