SBI Released Guidelines for Virtual Security and Password Security

SBI (State Bank of India) is the largest bank in India that has 420 million customers around the world. Can you guess what kind of people are attracted by this number? You guessed right if you guessed virtual schemers and cybercriminals. Unfortunately, there have been instances when the bank itself made it possible for cyber attackers to access private clients’ information. As we reported earlier last year, an unprotected server exposed private information of millions. While the bank itself is responsible for ensuring that all systems are protected, so that clients could not be exposed to cybercriminals, clients themselves have a lot of power too. And the bank is not leaving them to figure that out on their own. SBI has introduced its clients to Important Security Tips For Safe Online Banking, and if you read this article, we are sure that you will be able to secure your SBI account.

Important Security Tips For Safe Online Banking

• Access your bank website via www.onlinesbi.com only. This is the first tip offered by SBI, and it is very important. If you open your browser and type the URL into the address bar yourself, you will always end up on the right website. On the other hand, if you rely on links or buttons shown to you via emails or unreliable websites, you could be tricked into visiting fake login pages. It is also important that you pay attention to the URL of the website, as it should start with HTTPS, and you should also find a green padlock symbol attached.

• Do not rely on third-party mobile applications. SBI Anywhere and YONO LITE are the mobile apps that were created for SBI clients by SBI. While you should be safe using these apps, the bank warns that using third-party online banking apps could be risky. In fact, some of them could be downright malicious, and your virtual and financial security could be jeopardized if you use them. It is best if you stick with official apps, and the bank also advises contacting them if you are interested in downloading apps created by third parties.

• Do not trust spam emails and SMS messages. Have you ever received an email, an SMS message, or a phone call that, allegedly, represented the SBI? Well, the bank informs that if an SMS or a phishing email asks for online banking information, there is no doubt that you are being scammed. Phone calls that request such information cannot be trusted either. Phishing emails and messages could also be used to expose you to malicious links and tax refund scams. While you have to ignore demands for private information, you must not ignore the scams. The bank asks that you report them by sending a message to report.phishing@sbi.com instead. It is also important that you contact the bank immediately if you are tricked into disclosing your SBI password or any other private information.

• Install the latest version of your preferred web browser. Whether you use Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or another reputable web browser, you need to make sure that you have the latest version installed. This is important because an outdated version not only might not support new features but also might have unpatched vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities might make it possible for cybercriminals to hijack your browsing sessions and, potentially, record your SBI password and similar data.

• Install a trustworthy antivirus tool and perform regular scans. While you can notice when a phishing email asks for online banking information or when you are redirected to a fake version of onlinesbi.com, noticing the activity of clandestine malware can be much harder. For example, a keylogger could be dropped onto your computer without your notice, and if you do not delete it, it could record your SBI password and username when you log in. This, of course, would make it possible for cyber attackers to access your account and steal your money. There are plenty of other infections that steal your SBI password and do harm, which is why having trustworthy antivirus software protecting your operating system 24/7 is very important.

• Change your SBI password. While the bank suggests changing the SBI password periodically, it would be a mistake to focus only on how often you change it. Every time you update your password, it has to be strong. Needless to say, using sbipassword123 one month and then sbipassword1234 the next is not a good move. Every password has to be unique, long, and contain upper/lower-case letters, symbols, and numbers. The more complex your SBI password is, the harder it will be for cybercriminals to brute-force it. Are you looking for an easy way to manage complex and secure passwords that are hard to remember? Install the Cyclonis Password Manager, and it will take care of things for you. One more thing to note: If your SBI password was breached, you have to change it ASAP!

• Do not trust public computers and public WiFi. As you must know already, public computers and WiFi can be tampered with very easily, which is why it is never a good idea to use them to handle online banking operations or even connect to any of your personal accounts. Remember that public WiFi is great for viewing the latest weather report, checking public transport timetables, or looking up non-important information. If you can access online banking, email, social networking, work, and other accounts on a private network using a private computer, you should stick with that.

These seven important security tips for safe online banking can save you and your money. The good news is that following these tips should not be difficult at all. If you are cautious about which sites you visit, what you do if a phishing email asks for online banking information, how you secure your system and your browsers, and how you manage your SBI password, you should be able to avoid the issues that are associated with your SBI account security. Without a doubt, if you receive strange calls, emails, or messages, you want to report them, and do not forget that you can always contact your bank to discuss anything that worries you. The only legitimate numbers you can use to call your bank can be found here.