Online safety

As banks increase security and consumers use even more secure systems, criminals become better at finding new ways of intercepting information about your bank accounts.
It is therefore important that you, as an online bank user, use your common sense and are critical when you are online.

Online safety
As banks increase security and consumers use even more secure systems, criminals become better at finding new ways of intercepting information about your bank accounts.

It is therefore important that you, as an online banking user, use your common sense and are critical when you are online.

Here is a guide to what you can do to minimize risks whilst online.

Online safety tips


Criminals look for weaknesses in your programs and software. Keep your computer and software updated.

Firewalls protect you against criminals trying to make contact with your computer.

Antivirus provides you with protection by detecting if the e-mails and files you recieve contains malicious software. It can also detect and remove malicious software that is already on your computer. 

Kepp firewalls and anitivirus programs updated to ensure your computers safety.

Set your browser's security settings for the highest level possible. Your settings should require your permission before transfering infomation, files and programs. This enables you to check before installing unwanted code.

In the case that malware is found on your computer, it might be necessary to re-install your computer. When re-installing your computer, it is important to have a back up of your data. 

Passwords are an important part of the protection of your data. Make sure you use complex passwords that are hard to guess, and keep them private.  Use different passwords for all of your online services.

Encryption protects your Wi-Fi from being used by others. Criminals often use other peoples Wi-Fi, in order to cover their tracks. 

Criminals often attach files in emails, in the hope that you click on them. The links and attached files can contain programs that give the criminals access to your computer and information, which can be used to break in to your online banking.  

Criminals also send emails containing links to websites that detect weaknesses in your antivirus and downloads malware. The websites might also try to get you to download malware by accepting the download.

You should only click on links from trusted sources. 

Delete junk mail without opening or answering it. If you open or answer junk mail, you will likely recieve even more junk mail. Always use a junk mail filter.

Do not open or answer emails from people pretending to be banks or financial institutes, if they contain links to websites that ask for private information. Banks or financial institutions will never ask for personal information in emails. 

Be critical of websites. Stay vigilant when shopping online or downloading files, even from proffesional looking websites. 

When shopping online, use trusted means of payment like a payment card. In the case of fraud, you are protected by the law, if you have used a payment card. Read more about this in Danish. You are not protected by the law, in the case of bank transfers. 

Look for the e-mark when you shop online

All shops have had their terms of conditions validated by experts and will be subject to regular checks as long as they carry the e-mark. In the unlikely event of a disagreement, the buyer protection, they put DKK 10,000 on the line to ensure your purchase. 

Read more about the e-mark.

You should only download programs from trusted sites. Read the terms and conditions before accepting promontional material and the use of your private information.  

Emails containing job offers are often scams. You will never recieve unexpetcted prize money, and prize money does not require for you to pay a fee.

A lot of job scams contains job offers where you have to help with transfering money. The criminals offer you a job where they transfer money to your bank account. You will then get paid to transfer the money to another acccount. In this scam, you are acting as a 'mule' for the criminals.

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Finance Denmark is a business association for banks, mortgage institutions, asset management, securities trading and investment funds in Denmark. Our members are mortgage institutions, banks, savings banks, cooperative savings banks, Danish branches of foreign banks, asset managers, Danish securities dealers and investment funds. 

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