Online banking while traveling

[LeslieG]

I will be traveling next month and will need to do some online banking. I've read recently that you should never bank or shop with a wifi connection or in an internet cafe, etc. I'm trying to figure out how I will be able to do what I need to do securely while I'm away. Any suggestions?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I use the secure mobile banking app on my smartphone via 4G. Deposits, transfers, bill payment, etc.

I will be traveling next month and will need to do some online banking. I've read recently that you should never bank or shop with a wifi connection or in an internet cafe, etc. I'm trying to figure out how I will be able to do what I need to do securely while I'm away. Any suggestions?

 

[LeslieG]

I use the secure mobile banking app on my smartphone via 4G. Deposits, transfers, bill payment, etc.

I was hoping to use my banking app too, but I have to submit payroll payments for my employees, and it doesn't appear that the app will allow me to do that.

 

[wiigirl]

I was hoping to use my banking app too, but I have to submit payroll payments for my employees, and it doesn't appear that the app will allow me to do that.

You might look into GotoMyPC. It allows you to do a secure connection to your PC with no real sensitive data going over the public wifi's.

 

[tinka-belle]

If you are at a hotel with a business center or near a conference facility with one I'd pay the few bucks for internet time on one of their computers.

Since those are still public computers, delete your history when you log off (some do this automatically but it doesn't hurt to make sure). Before travel it would be safest to change your password for your payroll site to a temporary one, or if you can't do that definitely change your permanent password as soon as humanly possible after you use it on a public PC.

There are some encrypted wi-fi applications too but I haven't needed to use one yet. I'm sure others here can help you with those.

 

[LeslieG]

You might look into GotoMyPC. It allows you to do a secure connection to your PC with no real sensitive data going over the public wifi's.

I do have a similar program to GoToMyPC, but I didn't realize that would be safer than just going to the bank's website directly.

 

[Minnie Momma]

Just a thought -- can you go online to your bank site and set up the transactions for a future date? Talk to your local office. There may be a way. -- a current bank worker

 

[chris31997]

Just a thought -- can you go online to your bank site and set up the transactions for a future date? Talk to your local office. There may be a way. -- a current bank worker

If you are talking billpay, than you can. Or at least we can through our Credit Union. We can set up our bills and tell them when to pay them. With another bank we have, we can set transfers up for a future date. Not sure how far out in the future, month/week.

 

[LeslieG]

My son just suggested I get the mobile hotspot through Verizon for my smart phone. That way I will have a secure internet connection for my computer whenever I want to use it. I think that may work. It's $20/month, but I can cancel after I'm home from my trip if I want to.

 

[JB2K]

Make a quick stop by any "FedEx Office" (formerly-known as Kinko's) location -- you can log-on one of their computers (for a small fee) and your info is erased as soon as you terminate the connection.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have done that, too. Make sure you test the entire process BEFORE you go on vacation. Have a great trip!

My son just suggested I get the mobile hotspot through Verizon for my smart phone. That way I will have a secure internet connection for my computer whenever I want to use it. I think that may work. It's $20/month, but I can cancel after I'm home from my trip if I want to.

 

[Happyjen27]

Might be worth checking with your institution to see if you can automate your payroll for a month. I'm sure your business pays a pretty penny for banking, and this is an opportunity for them to earn it.