The user can currently perform many banking services via smartphone applications, whether it is checking the balance in the account or even making bank transfers.
In principle, there is no problem or danger from using such services, but with some important measures taken.
Certified App Sources
And Tanya Beiler, from the Federal Association of German Banks in Berlin, explained that initially the application for banking transactions must be installed, and it should be limited to only approved application sources, such as Google Play or the Apple application store.
Ralf Scherfling, from the Consumer Protection Center in North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf, Germany, added that the user should take into account the name of the publisher listed under the name of the application, in order to be safe from fake and malicious applications.
And Biller again warns against using offers to download applications from external sources, such as third-party websites, in addition to that it is not permissible to track any links sent via e-mail or SMS.
The German expert confirmed that such links may lead to the download of a malicious application that threatens the user's security.
In turn, Scherfling added that if the user wants to use banking services via the smartphone only, in this case he must use the methods of identity verification via "SMS-Tan" or "Push-Tan" Tan) which are two-factor authentication methods on your smartphone to confirm the identity of the user.
app lock
One of the important things is the necessity of securing the banking services application with a strong password, and Beller emphasized that biometric functions, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, have become sufficient tools to open the banking services application in a secure and reliable manner.
There is a need not to save the access data to the bank account on the smartphone, and it is also not permissible to store this data as an image in the address book because hackers and fraudsters can view this data in the event of the smartphone being stolen, and even without holding the smartphone in the hand, hackers can extrapolate this data accurately.
In addition, the user must update the banking services application on a regular basis, and Beller stressed that it should be limited to installing updates from the official stores of applications, with the need to protect the smartphone from viruses and malicious code by the antivirus application.
Banking app must be installed from approved app sources only (Getty Images)
Beware of public WLANs
In the case of banking transactions on the go, public wireless networks should not be used, but it is better to turn on the data connection with the smartphone, and Beller also emphasized the need to disable the Bluetooth connection to the smartphone while using the banking application.
In general, banking services applications on smartphones are fast and convenient when performing a lot of basic functions compared to banking services programs on computers. electronics in just a few seconds.
In addition, it is possible to set maximum limits in the application of banking services, and the German expert added that this function "allows to set the maximum amount of funds transferred from the user's account at one time or a certain period of time."
These functions are usually set in the security settings of the banking application.
Banning the use of a bank card
In the event that the bank card is lost or stolen, its use can be temporarily or permanently prohibited through the banking services application, and when the smartphone is stolen, the user must prohibit its use as soon as possible through the mobile phone network operator, in addition to The user's bank must be informed of the theft in order to disable the banking services application on the stolen smartphone.
And if the user loads a bank card on the smartphone to be used in electronic payments, he should ban the use of this card, and he can identify the steps required for this by contacting the concerned bank.
Besides acting quickly and blocking the bank card on the stolen smartphone, the user has to know how to access his bank account in the future, such as using an alternative method for online banking or using the same method on a new smartphone.
In general, conducting banking transactions via a smartphone is a convenient procedure, but all discounts made on his bank account and check deposits and account balances must be checked regularly, and according to the bank that is dealt with, the notification function can be turned on, so that the user is informed of any Banking on his account by way of alert messages, SMS or email, however such functionality may incur some additional expenses to the user.