These days time is precious and as balancing work life and family life is hard enough, we're all looking for ways to save a bit of time on our day-to-day tasks. With advances in technology and the continual growth of the internet, daily activities such as internet banking have become a lot easier.
Now, with the popularity of smartphones and the introduction of time saving apps, we can easily manage our money and financial products online anytime, anywhere and even on the move.
But when it comes to choosing the best format for internet banking, it is the combination of simple user navigation and security that perhaps make us think twice about banking via our mobile phone.
Which option is more user friendly?
It comes as no surprise that digital banking via your PC is already popular as it lets you manage your account from the comfort of your home or work computer. You can access every aspect of your account at any time, from setting up or cancelling direct debits to ordering and activating new cards and transferring money.
With a larger screen, obvious links and more detailed information, using your computer is a good choice for banking online with Moneysupermarket.com, for example, as all options can be viewed clearly. But is it just that we are comfortable with this medium the reason why we prefer it?
The truth is that mobile banking applications are just as easy to use with clear link information to get you where you want to go. The latest smartphones offer larger interactive touch screens and let you do similar tasks just as quickly. However, the only disadvantage is that banking apps are slightly more basic and the actions you can perform are limited.
The main tasks we'd use every day, such as checking a balance or transferring money are still available. Being able to do them wherever you may be and not being restricted to your home or work office is definitely tempting.
Is security an issue?
Home computers are often thought to be safer against hackers, but this isn't always the case. In fact, the issue has more to do with your internet connection. A wired connection is reasonably safe, but a wireless connection needs added security.
Making sure your Wi-Fi connection is secure with a password can help to stop anyone access your data, added to having security software on your PC and being cautious about your banking IDs and passwords.
Banking via mobile phone can often feel less secure. You may worry about losing your phone. What information is stored on there? The truth is, most banking apps are password protected, so even if you were to lose your phone, accessing your account wouldn't be easy.
So which should we choose?
When it comes to picking one medium over the other, the answer is really more about which medium you prefer. Using either a PC or a mobile phone just requires you to be extra cautious with your security options and your own personal details.
Taking precautions like adding security software to your PC and your phone, securing your Wi-Fi connection and always checking for the padlock icon will generally mean your details and data will remain safe. This allows you to manage your financial accounts and products quickly and easily, wherever you are.