World Password Day: SBI says imbibe safe internet banking practices - Here’s how you can protect your account

The first Thursday of May is celebrated as World Password Day every year. The day is used to promote better password and security moves. On this day, the largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has asked its customers to imbibe safe internet banking practices to protect their bank account. In bold, SBI emphasized on three Ps namely ‘Protect your account’, ‘Preserve your privacy’ and ‘Prevent identity theft’. With every enhancement in technology, there has always been backdoor available with fraudsters and scammers in fooling citizens in taking their financial credentials. Some the common ways of how a scammer creates a frauds are hacking bank account, phishing scams, virus in computer and mobile application. SBI has been directing its customers to secure their internet banking, bank account and mobile banking. The lender has also laid out a host of security tips for having hassle free online banking. 

On World Password Day, imbibe safe internet banking practices to protect your bank account and stay worry free. For more security tips, visit: https://t.co/U3XVLPQqxw pic.twitter.com/a8jYeqUB8F

— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) May 2, 2019

Here’s SBI security tips:

1. Access your bank website only by typing the URL in the address bar of your browser.

2. Be aware of downloading any malicious application from mobile application stores (Google Playstore, Apple App Store, Blackberry App World, Ovi Store, Windows Marketplace etc) that are offering Online Banking. Kindly check their authenticity before downloading, by contacting your Bank.

3. Do not click on any links in any e-mail message to access the site.

4. SBI or any of its representative never sends you email/SMS or calls you over phone to get your personal information, password or one time SMS (high security) password. Any such e-mail/SMS or phone call is an attempt to fraudulently withdraw money from your account through Internet Banking. Never respond to such email/SMS or phone call. Report immediately on if you receive any such e-mail/SMS or Phone call. Lock your user access immediately, if you have accidentally revealed your credentials.

5. Do not be lured if you receive an e-mail/SMS/phone call promising reward for providing your personal information or for updating your account details in the bank site.

6. Having the following will improve your internet security:

• Newer version of Operating System with latest security patches.
• Latest version of Browsers (IE 7.0 and above , Mozilla Firefox 3.1 and above, Opera 9.5 and above, Safari 3.5 and above, Google chrome,etc.)
• Firewall is enabled.
• Antivirus signatures applied

7. Scan your computer regularly with Antivirus to ensure that the system is Virus/Trojan free.

8. Change your Internet Banking password at periodical intervals.

9. Always check the last log-in date and time in the post login page.

10. Avoid accessing Internet banking accounts from cyber cafes or shared PCs.

11. After you have logged in, you will not be asked to provide your username and login password again. Also, you will not be asked to provide your CREDIT or DEBIT CARD details while using internet banking. If you get a message (such as through a pop-up) asking for such information, please do not provide this information no matter how 'genuine' the page appears to be. Such pop-ups are most likely the result of malware infecting your computer. Take immediate steps to disinfect your device.