Banking on a mobile phone or tablet is getting more and more popular. But how safe is it?
As long as your browser or app has a secure connection, it's just about as safe as banking with an old-fashioned computer. However, mobile device users tend to expose themselves to risks that they'd steer clear of on a home computer.
BankInfoSecurity.com points out that mobile banking has unique risks because we act differently on smartphones. We act more quickly and are less careful about potential risks. In addition, smartphone users may download apps that seem legitimate but that steal information.
To stay out of trouble, think twice before entering sensitive information into a mobile device. You might be out and about, busy with a number of things, and distracted -- and that's just what the hackers are counting on. Before you download apps, check for reviews and popularity: have a million people downloaded the app, or just a handful? Apps with more reviews and downloads are more likely to be legitimate.