Attackers focus on exploiting client-side systems (your computer) through various vulnerabilities. They use these vulnerabilities to take control of your computer, steal your information, destroy your files, and use your computer to attack other computers. A low-cost way attackers do this is by exploiting vulnerabilities in web browsers. An attacker can create a malicious web page that will install trojan software or spyware that will steal your information. To prevent this from happening to you:
Tip #5 Install the following: Firefox browser, Firewall software, Antivirus and antii-spyware software.
Firefox is an open source web browser. I will explain how to configure it in the next section. See my article on how to select a firewall for more information:Protect your home PC with an inexpensive (Free) firewall There are several articles about antivirus and spyware so I will not go into details about installing and configuring them.
After these have been installed on your system, the firewall will keep your computer from being found by other computers and the antivirus and anti-spyware programs will keep anything that sneaks through from being installed on your system. Next let's focus on the browser.
Some software features that provide functionality to a web browser, such as ActiveX, Java, Scripting (JavaScript, VBScript, etc), may also introduce vulnerabilities to the computer system. These may stem from poor implementation, poor design, or an insecure configuration.
Since Firefox is open source anyone can write extensions to interface with it. We are going to use them to secure our browser. By using a different browser to do our banking from our normal surfing it can be locked down and protected to a much greater degree than our standard surfing browser. While the security of that browser should not be ignored, always use the high security broswer for banking.
Tip #6 Firefox settings: A much more detailed walkthrough can be found here: How to Secure Mozilla Firefox
Tip #7 Download and install the following add-ons.
No Script: This stops any script from running unless you allow it. How do you know which ones to allow? If you are using firefox just for online banking then only allow your bank.
LastPass: What is the most secure password? The one you do not even know. This add-on wil store all your online passwords for you and create ultra secure ones. Granted if you lose the master password then you cannot get any of your other passwords, so pick something you will not forget.
Ad-block: Stops ads from coming up in your browser. These have been a delivery mechanism for attackers before. The default settings are pretty good and the online directions will have you doing onlne transactions safely.
Tip #8 Relax
I hope this gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling about doing banking and shopping online. Statistically you are more likely to have your money stolen by someone you give your card to (like a waiter or sales clerk who could make a copy of it) than you are to have your money stolen online. If you are a victim of credit card fraud, (identity theft is a different crime but that is for another article), you are usually only responsible for $50 of the charges but this varies by bank. Check with your bank for the exact amount.
Tip #9 I am watching
If all of this still does not put your mind at ease then your level of paranoia is much higher than mine. I GET PAID TO BE PARANOID so you do not have to be.
Tip #10 Blessing in disguise
When I first started using online banking my physical card was actually stolen and I got to watch the thief spend my money on a cross country trip. I did not report it stolen because they were spending less than my wife! Thank you. I am here all week. Don't forget to tip your wait staff.