We are many moons into the coronavirus pandemic, and it may feel like there’s no end in sight. Even as states are starting to reopen, many people are choosing to stay home. But we’re confident you can get through this — and we’re here to help by sharing how to get the most out of our all-new Digital Banking platform.
Banking from home saves you the time, exposure risk (and gas money) of having to visit a branch during this uncertain time. Plus, you can do all of the following, and more from your desktop, tablet, or smartphone:
- Send money to anyone you know and trust
- Pay your bills, or apply for a loan
- View transactions
- Open a new account
- Deposit checks in the mobile app
Although Digital Banking is convenient and safe to use, there are some precautions you should take to protect your personal information.
Desktop to Mobile Security
When using a desktop, make sure the computer is up-to-date on security software and connected to a secure WIFI network. And, always clear your cache after each banking session. These practices can prevent a hacker from logging into your account once you’ve logged off.
If you opt for the mobile app, it's smart to use Face ID or Touch ID to protect your credentials. These technologies scan your face or fingerprint before logging in and prevent fraudsters from accessing your accounts.
Username and Password Protection
Additionally, make sure that your username and password are strong enough to prevent it from being hacked. Your username should have at least eight characters, and your password should have at least eight. Plus, it's a good idea to use a mixture of letters, numbers, and special characters (except & < >). And, never include your account number in your credentials or, more than four numerical digits.
Fraudsters often will disguise themselves as legitimate companies or people you may know. For this reason, never share your username or password with anyone, especially if they ask for it.
What is Multi-Factor Authentication?
Shockingly, 54% of consumers use five or fewer passwords for all of their accounts, according to TeleSign. Limiting your passwords can lead to a “domino effect” that allows fraudsters to hack multiple accounts by cracking one password.
Andrews Federal has chosen to safeguard our Digital Banking with multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA is a security feature that requires you to present two types of credentials when logging in to an account. When logging in, you will receive a numeric code that you must enter to gain access to your account. The code may be sent via voice, text, or email, which helps verify and protect your credentials further.
Making time for these necessary precautions, and monitoring your account(s) regularly will help to protect your online credentials.