With the advancement of new technologies, it is increasingly common to use mobile phones to access various applications that allow us to carry out different operations on a daily basis. Currently, with the new generation of mobile phones – smartphones – we install all kinds of applications, including a mobile banking app.In fact, they are increasingly services that provide a mobile application as a way to facilitate the management of the same by the consumer. For example, we may have apps for: Personal finance; Insurance; Electricity or water; Meal card; Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, etc.); Restaurants and take-away; Stores; Health; Among others. It is essential to be aware of the danger that some of these apps can pose to your safety and that of your mobile phone. In fact, the use of these devices has entered our lives in such a way that we often don’t even think about whether what we are doing is safe. On the other hand, the problem is more serious when we talk about applications that expose some very important personal data, such as our bank accounts. Ideally, you don’t even have a banking app on your phone. Remember that this is a device that is very easy to lose or steal, and that mobile operating systems are not exactly immune to computer attacks. So, whenever you can, prefer a computer or, better yet, an ATM.If you can’t live without your cell phone and even use it as a tool to manage your finances, follow these tips.Also read: Online banking: advantages and precautions to be taken
Mobile banking app: 11 precautions
Opt for secure networks
It’s one thing to use your internet at home and another to access a public network (for example, in a cafe or shopping mall). In other words, the more people allowed to use a particular internet network, the more likely it is that you are being watched by someone with malicious intent..Thus, the use of a secure internet network is one of the main recommendations for those who access a banking app on their mobile phone. This is because, if the network is not secure, anyone with some computer skills can easily monitor the activity of connected devices. In other words, you can see what you’re doing on your mobile phone online and still collect the information you enter on the keyboard.In reality, accessing the bank account when it is connected to a public network does not mean that anything happens. But the old saying goes: “prevention is better than cure”. If you do, you’re getting the hang of it! It’s like putting a mouse in front of a cat, you already know what’s going to happen. Don’t make it easy!
Use the official bank app
Another piece of advice to keep in mind is always use the official bank app, instead of visiting the web page through the browser. And ask, why? Now: first these applications were developed by the bank itself for that purpose; second, before being made available to the public, had to comply with a set of safety rules – that is, banking applications have encrypted structures that are stronger than the normal browsers that we all have on mobile phones. Furthermore, no one can guarantee, not even a computer security expert, that your bank’s official app is 100% secure. Still, when compared to a normal browser, it is undoubtedly much safer.
Only use official stores to download apps
Whenever you need to download an application, choose to do so in the official stores of operating systems or smartphone brands. Downloading movies, games or other applications through official stores significantly reduces the risk of installing harmful software on your mobile phone. To make sure that your smartphone is not at risk, look in the security settings for the item that allows you to refuse the installation of apps from unknown sources.
Do not store bank details on your mobile phone
Whether or not you have a banking app on your phone, never keep confidential information on your cell phone. This type of confidential information should never be on these types of devices, because if you lose this device or it is stolen, anyone can access this confidential information. Thus, data such as IBAN, PIN or contract number can end up stopping into the hands of someone with bad intentions and use them against you. So, opt for other alternatives: paper, memory, whatever you want (everything except having this data saved on your cell phone).
Enable 2-step verification on your accounts
Whether to access homebanking, email or social networks, this type of verification (also known as strong authentication), of two factors, gives more security to your user accounts.In practice, this strong authentication requires confirmation of at least two out of three possible elementsnamely: one knowledge element and that only the user knows; a possession element that only the user has, for example, a mobile phone; finally, a inherent element – that is, a biometric characteristic of the customer such as a fingerprint or facial recognition. Banks have their own digital authentication mechanisms, but for other types of access it may also be necessary to use an app that generates random passwords, for example :
Mobile banking app: install an antivirus
There are several brands that already offer mobile antivirus. That way, there’s no excuse for you! If you have a banking app on your phone, install the strongest protection program you can. is never 100% sure! However, you will certainly be more protected and the probability of being the target of a computer attack will be much more remote.
Activate screen lock and locate device
a phone with the unlocked screeneither because it is disabled or because it is programmed to block only after “X” seconds it is halfway for the “thief” to be able to take it and take it. Therefore, you must make sure that you have the screen lock active and that when you place it somewhere, it is locked.. In short, the screen should always be locked or programmed to do so automatically in the shortest possible time. It only takes a fraction of a second for your cell phone to be stolen and if it is unlocked, imagine what can happen! the location optionvery useful in case of loss or theft. To do this, just activate the functionality: “Find My Device” on smartphones with the Android system; or “Find iPhone” in Apple devices. In addition to locating the device, if it is turned on, you can also activate an alarm, lock the screen or even erase all data from your smartphone, forcing the device to restore factory settings.
Have apps up to date
Whether or not to use the banking app on the mobile phone, you should always install any updates that are needed. This is because, if you do: it improves the operation of the apps themselves; it helps to fix certain bugs; and even better substantially to security of your device. It should be noted that, security improvements usually follow the detection of vulnerabilities, which means that when updates come, there is already a virus or malware trying to attack your system.
Mobile banking app: always keep in touch with your bank
No one better than a bank to help you in the security of your bank details. If you detect anything abnormal in your application or on the website you usually use to access your account, stop immediately. use and contact the bank to confirm that everything is in order. If possible, once in a while, confirm your login details online with your bank. If something is wrong or an app is seeing what it shouldn’t, the bank will let you know.
Maximum care with permissions
Permissions are another very important consideration to have. When you install an application on your phone, be it a game or any other application, the system asks you to give permissions to the new program. In other words, these can range from accessing your contact list to accessing browsing and activity logs from other apps. This is precisely where the problem may be: never give an application permissions for something whose purpose you don’t understand. So be careful! This is because, there are applications that, once installed, can see your screen and monitor what you are doing. So, if you use your cell phone to access your bank account, can you understand what can happen? In short, cell phones are undeniably useful devices, but we have to use them with discretion and some safety precautions. Soon, pay attention to what you do and especially to what you authorize. Remember that, after authorizing access to the information, you can hardly complain about having been stolen.
Mobile banking app: create a backup
You can and should configure your smartphone to make backups regularly. In the event of theft, loss or damage, this at least ensures that you do not lose the following information: your contacts; photos and videos; applications; or even your passwords. are stored in the cloud and can be accessed and downloaded from another device.Read more: Smishing: what does it consist of and how can you protect yourself?