Page 40 - Banking Finance March 2021

ARTICLE

least should not be forgotten). Besides, it is also to ensure HTTPS is an internet communication protocol that protects
that password should not be shared over the phone. Even if the integrity and confidentiality of data between the user's
there is an urgency for the same, it should be shared in the computer and the site. Users expect a secure and private
form of a code or by splitting it and sending it. online experience when using such website. HTTPS uses an
encryption protocol to encrypt communications. The secure
Anti-Virus Security: site can also be recognized with a padlock in the address

Our Computers / Mobiles are most vulnerable to threats bar. The "S" in HTTPS stands for "Secure". It's the secure
from virus attacks and being attacked by malware which can version of the standard "hypertext transfer protocol".
be avoided by taking proper measures and installing
authentic antivirus softwares. Most of the organizations are So, while browsing any site for doing any transaction, it is
using one or another antivirus softwares in their systems and to be ensured that we are using a secure site and not on a
mostly all the systems are monitored centrally by the compromised network that is redirecting to an impostor
particular team taking care of it. website. Although, now cyber cafe are used very less for
doing online financial transactions, still if a person is going
These softwares are updated regularly and periodically by to cyber café for the same, it is advised to use virtual key
these teams and such systems which are not taking part or board (if available with the application) for using any login
are switched off at the time of such updation are then kept details and password, because key loggers might have been
out of network till being updated so that the threat and used in the keyboards to steal the data you feed through
spread of malware / virus can be avoided. the keyboards while the sequence of virtual key boards
change every time.
Besides the official computers, it is very necessary to use
the anti-virus on our laptops, PCs as well as on our mobiles. Besides, at many places such as hotels, railway stations,
In earlier times, internet banking was mostly done on our airport etc., free Wi-Fi is available which is often used by
Laptops or on our PCs. But now-a-days, the maximum the persons using internet in that particular area. But, as
percentage of online transactions whether it is through free Wi-Fi is available to all those having access to it, it is
internet banking or through any of the various mobile also more prone to risk. Hence, it is better to avoid using
applications/UPI/BHIM etc., is done through our mobiles, any such Wi-Fi which is not secured especially for doing
but still a very less percentage of users are using anti-virus financial transactions.
software on their mobiles either due to non-awareness or
due to ignorance, although these anti-virus softwares are Both password-protected and unprotected public Wi-Fi
not too costly and are also available on e-commerce sites. connections can be easily monitored by third parties by
employing very simple measures, for example by imitating
But it is not advisable to use anti-virus softwares which are networks. It is better to use mobile hotspot from our own
free of cost as these may be even more dangerous than not smart phone. Hence, it is to be remembered that Wi-Fi
using any of the paid ones, because these free ones may
steal the data and they also run many applications in the
background which may even hang the mobile and hamper
its working.

Internet Security:
It is very much necessary to be careful regarding internet
security. All the applications which are requiring internet are
prone to risk. So, it is essential that we have to be very
careful while logging into internet sites. Internet security is
related not only to internet, but also to browser security,
network security and the World Wide Web. Whenever we
are logging into any internet site for doing any transaction,
we have to ensure that the network is secured with https.

40 | 2021 | MARCH | BANKING FINANCE