How to Boost Online Banking Security

Many Centreville Bank customers prefer to take care of their routine banking needs through online banking or mobile banking. From checking your account balance to depositing checks, online banking provides convenient, round-the-clock access to everyday banking needs.

With access to services like online bill pay, mobile deposit, person-to-person payments and other instant money transfer options, traditional banking methods have fallen by the wayside. In fact, in 2020 alone, there were over 240 million online banking users with forecasts for that number to increase over the next four years, according to Statista.

As more and more consumers turn to online banking, it’s important to understand online banking security and how to keep yourself—and your money—safe. We take this topic very seriously here at Centreville Bank and are committed to protecting all our customers in Rhode Island, Connecticut and beyond. These online banking security best practices will help keep your banking information as safe as possible.

Be Password Savvy
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to create a strong password. This may seem like an inconvenience, especially with so many passwords to remember. Fortunately, encryption services like 1password and Last Pass will help you create strong passwords and keep them secure. Remember to always log out when your banking session is finished to ensure no one can accidentally gain access if your computer or phone is misplaced.

Know Your Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi has become increasingly available. From your local coffeehouse to the airport, you can now connect to the internet virtually anywhere. However, you should never fully trust public Wi-Fi with sensitive information like banking. Your private, secured home Wi-Fi is usually the safest option, but if you need to access your Centreville Bank account remotely, try using a Virtual Private Network for a secure connection. 

Never Click on Unknown Links
Another rule of thumb is to use only branded Centreville Bank points of entry to access your online banking account. This may seem self-explanatory, but sometimes fraudulent attempts can make a page look official in an effort to access your information. Known as phishing, this tactic is commonly used in email and text scams.

If you have doubts about the authenticity of an entry point or login portal, the safest bet is to type https://www.centrevillebank.com/ into your web browser or navigate directly to the Centreville Bank mobile banking app. Available for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, the Centreville Bank mobile app encrypts sensitive financial information to keep your accounts secure.

Confirm HTTPS for Security
Another online banking security tip is to check the web address in your browser to be sure it starts with “HTTPS.” The “S” at the end signifies an SSL certificate, which means the site is following base-level encryption technology. You can also look for a lock icon in the URL bar of your browser to indicate your information is secure. All pages on the Centreville Bank website start with HTTPS.

Create Banking Notifications
Use online banking and mobile banking to their fullest potential. Through Centreville Bank’s digital banking solutions, you can create account alerts to help monitor your account and get notified of any unusual activity for added security.

Even when taking all precautions and being as diligent as possible, online banking fraud is still a risk. Contact Centreville Bank immediately if you suspect fraud or have any questions about online banking security measures, or visit one of our branches in Rhode Island or Connecticut.