If you’re new to Chromebooks and Chrome OS, it’s understandable why you’d want to question are Chromebooks safe for online banking or if you can even do internet banking on a Chromebook. If you find yourself wondering the same read on, because this article is for you.
Chromebooks are just as safe for online banking as Windows or Mac computers. Security comes built into a Chromebook and Chrome OS with features like virus protection, sandboxing, verified boot, and a security chip to encrypt all of your data.
In this article, I dig into topics like, are Chromebooks safe for banking, how secure is a Chromebook, and much more.
Are Chromebooks Safe For Banking?
Chromebooks are as safe as any other computer for internet banking and financial transactions. But Chromebooks have some unique security features that other computers do not have, like built-in virus protection, sandboxing, and an OS-verified boot feature.
A Chromebook is not inherently more secure than other devices such as a Windows or Mac laptop, but you are less likely to get infected using a Chromebook while surfing the web. Chrome OS closes off most operating system entry points for malware. Additionally, you can’t install local software programs like other computers. The browser and other software run inside sandboxed areas, so even if one part gets infected, the rest is designed to stay safe.
Top tech tip: Where you can, opt for a passphrase instead of a password. A passphrase is a sentence-like string of words that is used for authentication. A passphrase is longer than a traditional password, easy to remember for you, but difficult for a criminal to crack.
Every time a Chromebook starts up, its operating system, Chrome OS, goes through a verified boot. Verified boot is a rigorous and seamless security check-up in the background that checks it has not been compromised. Chrome OS also downloads and installs its security updates automatically behind the scenes, so you don’t have to
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How Secure Is A Chromebook?
A Chromebook running Chrome OS is one of the most secure computers that you can buy. Based on the Linux operating system, Chrome OS features sandboxing, automatic updates, verified booting, data encryption, and full OS recovery, all of which will help keep your computer running securely.
Top tech tip: Set up two-factor authentication on all your Google accounts. While it’s not foolproof, in general it’s harder, and less common for hackers to bypass multi-factor authentication.
So why are Chromebooks so secure? Chrome OS is derived from Linux OS, one of the most secure operating systems available. Linux is open-source, which means that anyone can contribute to its development. With many eyes working on the code, bugs and vulnerabilities are discovered and fixed quickly. Using Linux as its template, Chrome OS ensures it has the strongest security of any operating system on the market.
In addition to leveraging open-source development, Chromebooks have many security features built-in, each powerful in its own right but designed as a package to create a multi-layered approach to security. So what are these features? Check them out below:
- Sandboxing: Chrome OS keeps software on a Chromebook separate with a concept called Sandboxing (isolating a piece of software). Even if one piece gets infected, the rest is designed to stay safe.
- Verified Boot: Every time a Chromebook starts up, it goes through a process called Verified Boot, a rigorous and seamless security check-up in the background. If it detects that the operating system has been tampered with or corrupted in any way, it will repair itself without any effort.
- Security Chip: Every Chromebook includes a built-in security chip to encrypt data and keep it safe. This includes data like downloads, cookies, and browser cache files, all automatically encrypted while in local storage.
- Virus Protection: Built-in virus protection protects a Chromebook from malware, phishing and other attacks and means you don’t have to install third-party security software.
- Automatic Updates: Chromebooks receive automatic updates like virus definitions in the background, so they have the latest software and security features without interrupting you.
- Recovery: A Chromebook can be easily reset back to factory settings without losing your cloud data.
Top tech tip: In the rare event that something does go wrong, a fresh start is just a click away. With the Powerwashing feature on your Chromebook, you can easily reset your Chromebook back to its factory settings and get rid of any malware in the process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, I have answered all of your questions related to, are Chromebooks safe for online banking. However, you may still have other questions surrounding Chromebooks. If you do, below I have answered some common frequently asked questions, or check out my other article on the differences between Chromebooks and laptops.
Do Chromebooks need additional antivirus software?
How many years do Chromebooks last?
Are Chromebooks better than other laptops?
Final Thoughts On Are Chromebooks Safe For Online Banking
So, in conclusion, are Chromebooks safe for online banking? When it comes to internet banking, a Chromebook is among the most secure computers you can buy. Based on the Linux operating system, Chromebooks with Chrome OS have features like sandboxing, automatic updates, verified booting, data encryption, and full OS recovery.
Chromebooks are great for online banking, however, you still need to protect your identity at all costs, use a passphrase instead of a password, and leverage multi-factor authentification wherever possible.