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A couple of days ago I tried to log on to my “online banking site” and NOTHING happened. I checked my security settings and cookie levels and still can’t get on. Please help! Also what is the best and free antivirus/spyware product?

When a problem such as this occurs, the solution often depends on the circumstances. Try to think about any changes that you have made to your computer recently. Also, you need to determine whether this is the only website that you are having problems with or if others exist. Plus, it helps to think about the last time that you tried to access this particular website as well as the possibility that your account login might not be accurate. Are you typing in the address in full or clicking on a link? Read over the following suggestions and try each one until you manage to regain access to your online banking website account.

Online Banking Security: Signs of Legitimacy

Today, a number of scammers have gone into the business of setting up cloned websites to trick customers into giving away their personal information for devious purposes. The website looks almost like the original, legitimate one unless you could compare them side-by-side. In fact, my personal bank had this problem and many customers did not realize it until they tried to actually log in with their personal information.

Most online banking sites provide excellent security measures. Look for the signs that you have entered the right website. You should see the small icon of a gold lock in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Plus, a small picture or icon is usually on display on the left-hand side of the URL in the web address bar.

Look at the home page of the website that you are trying to get into. The more information that you see, the more likely it is that the website is legitimate. You should see words or phrases such as “Copyright,” “All rights reserved,” and “Member FDIC.” You should also see the phone number of the bank listed for contact purposes. If these signs of legitimacy aren’t there, contact your bank in person or on the phone and check the safety of your accounts. However, scammers are pretty good at cloning websites, so the site may include these terms.

Troubleshooting Online Banking Problems

New fears of identity theft and security issues have led many banks, credit agencies, and other financial institutions to change the rules of their online website access. In some cases, the username and password are deleted if too much time has passed in between signing up and accessing the account. This strategy is designed to protect the customers.

Troubleshooting Account Access

Whenever you have difficulty gaining access to one of your accounts, you need to take the following steps in an effort to resolve the problem:

• Type your information in one character at a time rather than clicking on stored data.
• Clear the temporary cache, stored passwords, cookies, and other temporary files on your web browser. It is possible that inaccurate information has been stored and is now preventing you from accessing your account.
• If you are using IE7, check to see if the phishing filter has been enabled using the Tools option. If it has, turn it off if you are positive that you are on the legitimate Web site.
• Check your security levels (which you already did.)
• Contact the bank directly and explain the problem. Many of the larger banks have tech guys who will look up your information and verify your password.
• Request a new password, change the password, and try to log in.

Since you asked about free antivirus products, view this article discussing them here:

Free Antivirus Programs

Safe Online Banking Practices

Your online banking password acts like a key; it opens your account when you need money, and it locks your account while you are away. Keeping your password safe is the easiest way to protect your life savings. Yet cyber criminals are keeping up with technology. Every day sees the launch of a new virus or worm capable of stealing private information from your computer - information like your banking passwords. A key alone cannot protect your bank account. You need a whole arsenal of weapons - from anti-virus software to personal firewalls - to foil a hacker.

Protect Your Password

The ideal password is a combination of letters and numbers that is at least six characters long. Avoid using your birthday or address as your password; you want a word that is hard to guess. Internet security experts recommend committing your passwords to memory, but remembering dozens of different words can be difficult. If you need a written reminder of your passwords, keep it in a safe location away from your computer. Never save your passwords in a file on your computer. A thief can hack into the files and steal your online banking password - and your entire savings account along with it.

Beware the Email

No bank or financial organization would ever ask for your credit card number or account password in an email. Yet messages from your bank clog up your inbox, each asking you to confirm your account information by clicking on a link. These emails are part of a massive phishing scheme, a process where cyber criminals disguise themselves as trustworthy banks in an attempt to steal your personal information. If you think you can spot the difference between a fraudulent email and a genuine one, think again - these phishing emails come complete with your bank’s logo at the top and a copyright logo at the bottom. Avoid being caught in a phishing scheme; never send out personal information through email. And never use a link in one of these emails - it leads to a fraudulent website. Instead, type your bank’s complete web address into the address bar of your browser. The next time you see one of these emails in your inbox, forward it to your bank. Your bank’s IT department can trace the source of the emails, giving law enforcement the ammunition it needs to stop phishing schemes.

Good Computing Practices

Your computer might use software that records passwords. To check, visit a website that has a log-in box and type in your username. If your computer automatically enters your password into the log-in box, then this feature is enabled. Anyone who uses your computer can access your bank account - a dangerous situation if your laptop is ever stolen. Disabling this feature will help protect your banking information. In addition, avoid using public computers; you have no way of knowing what viruses or Spyware programs may be running undetected on these systems. And before you download a program or sign up for an online service, carefully read through the service agreement. Hidden in the dry legal language may be a provision that allows for a third party to access your computer.

Use Anti-Virus Software

Computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses can delete your files, erase your hard drive’s contents, or capture your keystrokes. In short, the information stored on your computer may not be as private as you think. Once a week, run a virus and a Spyware check. Make sure that your anti-virus software’s definitions are up-to-date. Stop viruses and Spyware programs at the source; never open an email if you don’t recognize the address, and never download content if you don’t trust the source.

Protect Your Internet Connection

A computer connected to a cable modem or a digital subscriber line (DSL) never has to dial into the Internet; it is always online. Unfortunately, a permanently connected computer is an easy target for hackers. Try unplugging your computer when its not in use; you’ll save on energy costs while keeping your passwords and banking information safe. If you can’t pull the plug on your computer, consider disabling your computer’s file sharing software. For specific instructions, visit the Help section in your Internet browser. A personal firewall helps prevent unauthorized access to your computer; install one along with your anti-virus software. And be sure to download Microsoft’s and Apple’s regular security updates. Errors in an operating system can leave your computer susceptible to viruses and worms; these downloads help correct the errors in the programs.

Encryption

Anyone with a wireless connection should ensure their computer uses encryption; a hacker cannot access your information if the data transferred between your computer and the wireless router is encrypted. Remember to change the default password of your wireless router. These easy-to-guess default passwords leave your system vulnerable to unauthorized access. While you’re changing the password, pick a unique name for your wireless network. This name, also known as the Service Set Identifier (or SSID), should be hard to guess - refrain from using your last name or your address. Also, be sure to switch off SSID broadcasting. Your network will be hidden from outside users, and unless a hacker can guess the name of your network, your system - and your banking passwords - will be safe.

What to do if …

Just as no home is safe from burglars, no bank account is impervious to hackers. A cyber criminal may one day gain access to your personal banking information. Keep a close watch on your banking and credit card statements. If you see a discrepancy, notify your bank immediately. With a vigilant eye, a clever password, and a protected computer, you can keep your money out of a cyber criminal’s reach.