Banking Apps Or Browsers: What’s More Secure?

Around half the world’s population uses mobile applications to do various financial transactions. As smartphones are getting advanced day by day, the ways to attack them are also increasing tremendously. In the past years, Banking and Financial organizations – whether small or big, public or private, have launched their apps one after another for the convenience of their customers. This facilitates both banks and customers with easy and quick transactions & make/handle inquiries through the app itself. But in a world where security is just a word, you should be well aware about the platforms you’re using for your digital or financial transactions.

What Banking Apps Offer?

Banking Applications allow you to do digital transactions in the most convenient way, and with the aim of keeping an eye on your finances at an ease with your smartphones,  bank apps were introduced. These banking institutes invest heavily in order to provide the most secure environment to users. These apps often have limitations on the amount of money transfers, to reduces the risk. If there’s a huge amount to be transferred for safety, it asks the users to get a code from token or card reader so that no mistake should occur.

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What Browsers Offer?

Banking through desktops & systems can be considered as the oldest form of digital transactions. As web programs are much mature than mobile programs, the browsers are extensively tested as compared to an app. Moreover, the probability of bugs is much higher in mobile apps than web browsers.

Though it is a traditional counterpart of mobile apps, nevertheless the threats attached to it are comparatively more than today’s apps. Web browsers hide URLs and make it easy for cybercriminals to attack your system with malicious software without even your knowledge.

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Also Read: 10 Best Mobile Browsers For Android

Banking Apps: Do’s and Don’ts

• One should only use official banking apps, to be away from malware or security flaws.
• Always keep an updated version of your banking apps. Because latest versions are free from any flaws that could be present in the older version.
• Check the views and opinions before downloading the app. Because, you might find some useful information that could save you from possible fraud.
• Remember to download apps from credible sources only; Such as Google Play Store or App.
• Do check that your bank app has been validated for security. You can check this on the Bank’s official website. Also, you can read the terms & conditions before you make agree while entering into the app for the first time. Know how they have validated the security of their app.
• Don’t’ allow third-party apps to enter into your smartphone. For an instance, suppose, you want to download an e-commerce app, usually these kinds of apps ask you to give access to your device’s location, images, contacts and so on. If you are an iphone user, you can easily deny access. But in Windows & Android phones without giving access you won’t be able to download these apps. The very fact that an app needs access to these type of information means there is some privacy issue. Or some people say it’s because to pack the users with ADware. So beware of such devious doppelganger apps.
• Over 6,50,000 malicious Android apps are present poses as official bank apps. These applications are put on to different app stores where they wait for users to give away their bank account details. It’s is critical to differentiate between the fake bank apps. So, the best option is to go to official website for the latest advice on how to safely download the latest version of their banking app that suits your phone.
• Don’t forget to use biometric passcodes on your phones, so that only you can unlock it every time you use your phone.
• Having a phone tracking app can actually help you to erase your data, in case your phone is lost.
• Rooting or jailbreaking your phone, is an open invite to malicious attackers. So, keep in mind before you give access to unauthorized software/apps.
• Avoid using public wifi, while doing banking transaction. Because there might be a possibility that these banking apps data not be encrypted. And, these unencrypted data may contain some sensitive information, which you can’t afford to lose.
• Viruses don’t infect Android devices as they don’t self-replicate. It’s okay to have an antivirus app, but the app stores are filled with fake antivirus apps. So, it’s better to avoid these apps.
• If scammed, don’t forget to report your case under Action Fraud, and you can file cases for Identity Theft or Identity Fraud.

 Also Read: Ghostery: The Best Extension For Safe Browsing Experience

Identity Theft –  When a fraudster access personal information like name, DOB, address or contact number, to commit identity fraud. Identity theft can impact your finances like you will not be able to take/grant loans, you cannot mortgage, or use credit cards, till the matter is resolved.

Identity Fraud – This can be referred as when someone uses your identity or steal your identity and use it for criminal offenses. A fraudster can use your personal identity to open a bank account of others, order goods or services in your name, obtain credit cards, loans. etc  Contact your bank immediately if these kinds of frauds happen to you.

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 Apps are risky because most of the banking apps have security flaws and viruses. Malicious attacks can be done if you haven’t downloaded it from credible sources. Browsers are risky because they are designed with trojans which remains hidden until the user logs into his/her online bank account. This malware attacks your browser and steals your sensitive information and login credentials and moves money out of your account.

3 Alternative Browsers That Offer Robust Security – Best Browsers for Online Banking?

Though we have listed how apps are better for banking. We don’t want to let down web browsing, as still there are number of people who are comfortable with desktops/systems.

So, for them, we are suggesting some browsers that are safe & secure for online banking.

A web browser is the first defending block against malicious attacks and thus browser security is a must.

Apart from the popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, etc. there are other safest browsers which provide you the security plus privacy are:

Dooble – It is a Chromium-Based Multi-Platform Browser which is otherwise named as “A Security Conscious Web Browser”. Even with no extended modifications, Dooble in its default state disable all the potentially insecure mediums such as Javascript and Flash i.e. the browser itself goes incognito by default. Handling of cookies is not at all a handy task by a web browser, Dooble automatically blocks third-party session cookies in iFrame. In addition to the name of security, Dooble provides another feature that encrypts the user content i.e. history, browsing preferences, bookmarks etc. With a Cipher and a Passphrase, you can undergo private browsing for selected tabs using a right-click. Dooble maybe a newcomer but it comes with a rich set of innovative features for satisfying your privacy concerns.

Tor – ‘TOR’ is an acronym that stands for ‘The Onion Router’. This browser is meant for the people who want to keep their identity anonymous on the Internet by hiding their true identity. Tor is the easiest way to anonymize your traffic and it’s free of cost. Whatever you do on this browser will encrypt that traffic so it isn’t traced back to you. And if someone tries, it would see the traffic coming from random Tor networks, but not your system. Tor basically forces a user with certain constraints such as a requirement for an HTTPS connection. Apart from being a secure browser, it is really an advanced privacy approach which is the formula for entire anti-surveillance movement.

Maxthon – Firstly, It is very necessary to choose a browser which is free from viruses and malware for the sake of online and browser security. Maxthon has been tested 100% clean and is free of viruses, trojans, and spyware. Secondly, pop-up ads are the most annoying thing when it gets clicked accidentally which may lead to insertion of viruses into your system, Maxthon handles it for you with no need to add extra extensions for blocking pop-up ads, annoying banners, viruses, and Trojans. Thirdly, Maxthon provides spam protection, a scam is the most frequent virus carrier and with UUMail, Maxthon 5 browser bypassed this problem permanently. It can be an optimal solution for online banking since, it is a tested product for providing a secure browsing environment to you.

Your security & privacy is in your hand. It is actually based on your online behavior. There’s no browser which can completely or always protect you. If your browsing habits are unsafe, no browser can actually help.

Next Read: How To Enable JavaScript In Web Browsers