to log into my bank account from a hotel room?

[Wolfbasher]

Is it safe to log into online banking from a hotel room? I usually only do it from home, but will be working away for a while, and will need to do some bank transactions.

[LurkingHusband]

Does your bank use two-factor authentication (do you need a card reader+card to login) ?

If so, I'd do it myself (well, I have done).

[Wolfbasher]

I have two accounts with different banks. One needs a card reader, and the other doesn't.

[sparechange]

Does the website address start 'https' and/or is there a picture of a padlock either in the bottom right corner or the start of the URL bar? (Depending on which browser you are using)

If so, it will be fully encrypted and perfectly secure. As will any online shopping sites payment pages

[bigbluestars]

My OH is an internet security engineer.
He won't use online banking - even at home.

[LurkingHusband]

I've been using the internet since 1984, and have no problems, as long as security is properly used.

[HalberHahn]

I wouldn't use it, it's an open wifi I assume? Can't you do it over the phone?

[KidLorneRoll]

A good rule of thumb is as follows: only connect using machines you own or have sole use of and which are connecting securely through networks you can absolutely trust. Usually this means at home or possibly at work depending upon the network infrastructure.

A hotel network is not one you can trust and therefore I would be wary. If you have phone banking that would be a better option.

[stealthsquiggle]

I do. Between that and shopping from hotel rooms and airports, nothing would ever get done if I didn't TBH. I do sometimes use my corporate VPN as an extra layer, though.

[BoomBoomsCousin]

Assuming you are using your own laptop/phone/tablet then your banks security should be adequate enough that it won't make much difference whether you log on in a hotel or at home. The main encryption that makes you secure is between your browser and the bank's server, it doesn't rely on the hotel's wi-fi encryption etc.

But don't use a computer that belongs to the hotel or someone else.

No security is 100%, but there isn't much difference between using your wi-fi at home and a hotel's wi-fi elsewhere.

[KidLorneRoll]

The main danger with hotel wi-fi is knowing that the network that you are connecting to does actually belong to the hotel. It's not difficult to set up a spoof connection that can look like a trustworthy network but is anything but.

It's a risk. It might be a small one, but it's a risk nonetheless.

[LurkingHusband]

The main danger of hotel wifi is you have to pay for it .

[JohnQuig]

If it says "https:" and shows a padlock next to the address bar, you're fine.

[HighwayDragon]

I would, good luck to them trying to get money out of there!

[BoomBoomsCousin]

Kid has a point, you do need to ensure you are on the hotel network.

[LikeABadSethRogenMovie]

If it's just regular transaction stuff, sending money, checking statements, etc. I just use the banking apps on my phone.

[Wolfbasher]

okay, thanks all, that's helpful. I would be using my own laptop. It is a pretty out of the way hotel, not exactly a high traffic area, so that might decrease the likelihood of scammers there.

[Theoretician]

Internet security is based on the assumption that it is always possible for there to be a bad guy between you and your bank. So being in a hotel or connecting to a fake hotel connection isn't necessarily a problem. I think there's just three things to consider:-

1: that you're using a secure machine, ie. your own phone or computer
2: that the connection is encrypted i.e. padlock
3: that you're talking to who you think you are, i.e. click on the padlock and see what name comes up.

(Not an expert, just my view.)