The bank will suggest, if not require, that your browser have 128-bit encryption. This just insures that your information will be safe as it leaves your computer just as it is when it is on the bank's secure server. If you do not have the latest version of your browser, you may not have 128-bit encryption. Make sure you have it before you begin.

Your username will either be given to you by your clicks to bricks bank, or you will choose it at your virtual bank. If you choose it, there will be specific rules about how many characters it must have. It will also tell you whether you must use both letters and numbers, and capitals and lower case letters. Choose something that is not guessable.

Similar, if not the same, rules are given for your password for internet banking. (You will always choose your password, no matter which kind of bank you use.) Your password is even more important. There are certain ways you can make your password more secure.

For one thing, you can base it on something you know or like. It can be anything that no one would specifically relate to you. It could be a line from a song, for example. You could take the first letters of all the words and make a string of characters for your internet banking password. Then, you could capitalize some of them, throw in some numbers, and you have a password that will be hard to guess but easy for you to remember.

In any case, you should memorize your password and destroy any paper where it is written down. Then, you should change your internet banking password frequently. Do not tell anyone your password, no matter how close you think you are to them. Unless they are on the account with you, there is no reason for them to know it.

It is always important to log off when you finish with your internet banking transactions. If you use a public computer, it is even more important. However, doing internet banking on a public computer, such as one in a library, is not the most secure course.

An industrious internet thief can get your information off a public computer without too much trouble. However, some internet banking companies offer a special service that prevents your banking transactions from going into a computer's cache memory. If you use this feature, it makes banking at a public computer much safer.

It is also important that, if you do use your computer in public, you assure that no one can see the screen when you are doing internet banking transactions. You should not let anyone see you use your keyboard either. While many people feel comfortable setting their laptops up and doing their business anywhere, it is not always wise.

There are many ways to protect your personal information when you do internet banking. It requires thought and caution, but it can be done.