Can You Trust Online Banking?

With all of the technological innovations in the past couple of decades, technology has been an integral part of our every day lives.  This is especially true when it comes to using the Internet. Many activities and transactions are handled electronically due to the acceptance of information technologies in our homes and in the work place.  But can all information technology be trusted?

About 18% of adults who use the internet have reported  they have had important personal information stolen, according to the Pew Research Center.  This includes Social Security numbers and bank account information.  The study also adds, just in America alone, there are 69 million people who use online banking.  This can be great news for hackers.

Many people like banking online, mostly because it is accessible 24/7, either from your mobile phone or your home computer.  This makes it easier to make transactions from the comfort of your own home and simplifies account monitoring.  Access to all of your personal information and bank statements can be as easy as a click of a button.  Today, banks are more aware than ever about possible scams and security leaks, so tighter security measures are in place more than ever before. After all, the future of online banking depends on trust.

However, many people distrust online banking and are afraid to put too much personal information on the Internet.  Their biggest concern is fraud and security breeches.  Your personal information is essentially available for anyone who can scam the system or hack his or her way in.  Also, identity theft is another factor why many people are wary of using the Internet for banking or other activities.  Anyone who can gain access to your Social Security number can then access your bank account, which can include other information such as your address, credit card info and even your ATM info.

Now don’t get completely discouraged by the idea of putting some personal information online, since it does have some benefits.  SUNY Oswego student, Ian Pauchard, says that he’s found some benefits to letting people see some personal information.

“You have sites like LinkedIn, where it’s very beneficial to put up a lot of your information, like your job experiences, skills, career goals and your education, so potential employers can look at that and it can make you more marketable.”  Pauchard adds, “But at the same time, there’s a negative component to every situation, and there are people out there taking advantage of the personal information you put online.”

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkGJGjPvLFs” width=”580″ height=”440″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqB-lAB4OUw [/su_youtube]

Think before you start giving away your personal information on the Web.  For all you know, there may be a hacker waiting on the other side.

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