7 tips for secure online banking in 2025

Increasingly, customers are choosing online banking for its unparalleled convenience - managing balances, transfers, and payments from anywhere, anytime. While cybersecurity has evolved, so have threats like AI-driven phishing, deepfake scams, and credential stuffing.

No time-consuming trips to your nearest branch, and you’re in full control of the decisions you make and when you make them. On top of this convenience, online banking is safe and secure. Using the appropriate cybersecurity precautions, online banking customers and their finances are well protected.

At Qonto, we’ve fortified our security measures to stay ahead, but your vigilance remains critical. Below are seven updated tips to maximize your safety in 2025’s digital banking landscape.

Your bank’s website or app will always be the most secure way to log into your account. To double-check this, when you enter the URL, ensure the address begins with “https” - the “s” stands for ‘secure,’ guaranteeing the security of the connection. If your login takes you to a page beginning with “http,” cancel the login and contact your bank immediately. On top of domain control, look for the valid security certificate when you log in. How this certificate looks will depend on the browser you’re using. If you’re using Firefox or Chrome, the valid security certificate will appear as a little lock symbol in front of the URL.

Wired LAN access offers secure protection for online banking, but it’s more common now to use Wi-Fi connections, which can come with some risks. If you wish to remain as secure as possible, avoid logging into your online account on any network other than your home network. Public Wi-Fi does not guarantee security and often invites attackers to steal your credentials. These attacks can be difficult to trace on public networks, leaving you vulnerable.

For added protection, use a trusted VPN to encrypt your data or switch to your mobile network when banking on the go. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are increasingly targeted by man-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers intercept your data. A VPN creates a secure tunnel for your information, shielding it from prying eyes.

A strong password remains a cornerstone of online security, but in 2025, it’s no longer enough on its own. With a lengthy, complex password, you protect yourself from cyberattacks by giving hackers nothing to work with. Never incorporate personal information into your password, and ensure it contains:

• At least 12 characters (the longer, the better).
• A combination of numbers, upper and lower case letters, and special characters.

Stay away from personal information because if any aspect of your password can be traced back to you, you’re giving potential attackers a head start. Even including a portion of your middle name means an attacker begins with a percentage of your password characters, drastically reducing the time required to crack the rest. Avoid using children’s names, partners’ names, pets’ names, or significant dates.

It’s also critical to use unique passwords for each account. You might have a complex password with no personal information, but if an attacker figures it out for your social media account, they could gain access to your online banking, personal shopping accounts, and more—leading to a potential disaster. Managing multiple complex passwords can be overwhelming, which is why using a password manager (e.g., Dashlane, 1Password) is a game-changer. These tools generate, store, and autofill strong passwords, taking the headache out of password management.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) has long been a gold standard for online security, but in 2025, multi-factor authentication (MFA) is the way to go. MFA combines multiple layers of security to ensure only you can access your account. These layers typically include:

• Knowledge 💡
  Something you know, like a PIN or password.
  
  
• Possession 🤳
  Something you have, such as your smartphone or a hardware token.
  
  
• Biometrics 👁️
  Something you are, like your fingerprint or facial recognition.

With MFA, even if an attacker guesses your password, they won’t be able to log in without completing the additional steps. For example, after entering your password, you might be prompted to approve the login via a notification on your smartphone or scan your fingerprint.

For transactions, Qonto uses 3D Secure (3DS2), which adds real-time fraud checks and requires a one-time passcode (OTP) or biometric approval. This ensures that even if your credentials are compromised, unauthorized transactions are blocked.

Cybercriminals often attempt to steal your data through phishing emails, fake websites, or messaging apps. Stay protected by:

• Refusing to open or download attachments from unknown senders.
• Keeping your personal data (passwords, PINs, and OTPs) strictly confidential.

Limit potential losses from breaches by:

• Capping transaction amounts daily/monthly.
• Activating AI-powered alerts for suspicious logins, international transfers, or large withdrawals .

Still on the hunt for a secure digital business account? Apply for your Qonto account in just 10 minutes.

It’s important to remember that safety principles apply when logging out, too. Make sure you actively click the logout button rather than just minimizing the application or closing the browser tab. For added security, clear your cache or browser history after each session, especially if you’ve used a public network. This ensures that no sensitive data, such as login credentials or account details, is left behind.

Using incognito mode or a private browsing window can eliminate the need to clear your cache manually, as it automatically deletes browsing data when you close the window. However, for the highest level of security, consider using a dedicated device for banking. This minimizes the risk of malware or unauthorized access from other activities on your device.

Staying safe extends beyond just protecting your personal data. Make sure your smartphone and PC are well protected with reliable, regularly updated antivirus software. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new threats, and outdated systems are a prime target.

Enable automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and security software. These updates often include patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities and improved security features. For example, the latest versions of browsers like Chrome and Firefox come with enhanced phishing protection and sandboxing to isolate malicious activity.

Staying safe online is a shared responsibility. While reliable fintech services take care of the big safety risks - such as encryption, fraud detection, and secure transactions - it’s ultimately up to you to make smart decisions.

At Qonto, we’re committed to your security. Our real-time alerts keep you informed of every transaction, so you can spot and report suspicious activity immediately.

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