Thanks to the rise of the digital age, traditional cash transactions are becoming less common around the world. Consumers are now favoring e-wallets and digital banking apps for their convenience, speed, and ease of use.
Whether it’s grabbing a quick coffee, paying bills, or transferring funds to a friend, these apps and platforms have streamlined the way people handle their everyday finances.
It’s quite reasonable to assume that the shift away from physical cash is more than just a passing trend, but rather something that’s become the new normal.
As digital finance becomes more prevalent, it’s only natural that questions and concerns about its security are likewise on the rise.
If you’re a consumer in the Philippines who’s thinking about using an app like Maya more frequently and wondering, “Is Maya legit and safe?” for instance, you’d want to be assured that Maya takes its status as one of the country’s top providers of digital financial services very seriously.
The company is fully regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and thus exercises vigilance when it comes to complying with the latest cybersecurity requirements.
All the same, the efforts of providers to keep their apps safe and secure for users likewise need to be complemented by smart usage on the user end.
Approaching your financial apps with care and strategic thought will help you maximize their benefits and protect you from potential risks that come with handling digital money more often.
If you’re just starting out with e-wallets and digital banking apps, then you’ll definitely want to be aware of these best practices for managing your money on both of them:
1. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Any consumers looking to start doing the bulk of their financial transactions digitally should make their account security a top priority. Weak passwords are an open invitation to hackers, so you’ll want to choose a complex, unique password for your e-wallet or banking app.
Make sure this password isn’t shared across any other accounts you have online, and avoid incorporating easy-to-guess details like your name or birthday.
From there, you can go a step further by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This extra layer of security requires both a password and a one-time code sent to your phone or email.
Even in the event that a hacker gains access to the latter, the need for the code severely hurts their chances of getting into your account without authorization.
Think of it as locking your door and then securing it with a deadbolt—one step alone is good, but together, they offer much stronger protection.
2. Keep Your Software Updated
It may initially seem harmless to neglect your app and device updates, but doing so leaves your finances vulnerable to security threats. There’s no excuse to not update, as software developers frequently release them to patch vulnerabilities and improve security features.
Skipping these updates is like leaving a window open for hackers to exploit weaknesses in your outdated software. Knowing that, keep both your phone and your financial apps up to date to guarantee that you have the latest safeguards in place.
3. Monitor Your Accounts Regularly
Even with notifications and security measures in place, it’s still in your best interest to check your accounts frequently for any unauthorized transactions. Notifications can miss subtle anomalies, so try to manually review your transactions from time to time.
Periodic financial health checks are an effective way to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks, whether it’s unauthorized activity or even small fees you might have overlooked.
The earlier you catch any potential anomalies, the faster you can resolve them and secure your accounts from bad actors.
4. Transact on Secure Connections Only
Don’t assume that it’s safe to perform digital financial transactions on just any network. Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafés or airports, are a hacker’s playground because they often lack adequate security measures.
Always use a secure, private connection to access your sensitive information—ideally your home Wi-Fi or a trusted network. If you need to access your e-wallet or banking app on the go, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data.
An extra step like this one can do a lot to prevent your personal and financial details from being exposed to cyber threats.
5. Set Up Notifications
Nothing disrupts financial peace of mind like unexpected charges or dwindling balances you weren’t prepared for. Notifications will give you a way to stay ahead of the game.
Set up real-time alerts to keep yourself in the loop about every transaction made through your e-wallet or banking app.
Alerts will help you keep a close watch on activities like automated bill payments or recent transactions, so you know where your money is going without constantly opening the app.
6. Take Advantage of Expense Tracking Features
One of the greatest advantages of using a financial app is that it gives you a clear, categorized breakdown of your spending habits.
Expense tracking features built into many apps automatically log every transaction you make, and some can even sort your purchases into categories like food, utilities, and entertainment.
This makes budgeting easier, as it reveals what you’re really spending your money on—often offering insights that cash spending can obscure.
With this data at your fingertips, you can set more realistic spending goals and keep unnecessary expenses in check without the hassle of doing everything manually.
7. Automate Your Savings
The idea of saving money is great in theory, but in practice, many people find it easier to push it onto the back burner. With the automation features in digital banking apps, you can remove the need to actively think about saving and make it second nature.
Automating your savings will allow you to regularly set aside a portion of your income weekly or monthly, with zero effort on your part. Over time, these small, consistent contributions can help you build a financial cushion with ease.
Think of it as a “set it and forget it” strategy that puts your savings on autopilot while you focus on other priorities.
As financial apps become more integrated into your daily life, be conscious about using them wisely to guarantee that you can enjoy the convenience they offer without compromising your financial security.
Follow the best practices above, and making these tools work in your favor may just turn out to be easier than you think. In the end, it’s all about adapting to the future of money management while staying in control of your finances.