Which practice improves security when banking online?

Which practice improves security when banking online?

• A. Always using public Wi-Fi for convenience.
• B. Sharing your password with a friend.
• C. Using public networks for sensitive transactions only.
• D. Avoiding banking on public Wi-Fi to improve your security.

Answer: (D)

Avoiding public Wi‑Fi for banking is the best way to reduce risk because these networks are often unsecured and difficult to trust. When you connect to a public network, someone on the same network could potentially observe the data you send and receive, capture login details, or redirect you to fake sites. Even if the banking site uses HTTPS, other traffic on the network can be exposed, and attackers can set up rogue hotspots that steal credentials or install malware on your device. Using a private home network or trusted cellular data keeps your data path more private, and using additional protections like a VPN can add another layer of encryption if you must connect over a public network. Keeping your device updated, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication also helps, but the most effective single practice for online banking security is avoiding public Wi‑Fi altogether. The other options promote risky behavior or rely on a fragile assumption of safety on public networks, so they don’t improve security the way staying off public Wi‑Fi does.

Avoiding public Wi‑Fi for banking is the best way to reduce risk because these networks are often unsecured and difficult to trust. When you connect to a public network, someone on the same network could potentially observe the data you send and receive, capture login details, or redirect you to fake sites. Even if the banking site uses HTTPS, other traffic on the network can be exposed, and attackers can set up rogue hotspots that steal credentials or install malware on your device.

Using a private home network or trusted cellular data keeps your data path more private, and using additional protections like a VPN can add another layer of encryption if you must connect over a public network. Keeping your device updated, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication also helps, but the most effective single practice for online banking security is avoiding public Wi‑Fi altogether.

The other options promote risky behavior or rely on a fragile assumption of safety on public networks, so they don’t improve security the way staying off public Wi‑Fi does.