Browser dedicated for Finance

happyhacker

Thinking of setting up a browser just for banking on my Mac. It will not be used for any other internet access. I have a simple (no internet) phone which I will use for 2FA this stays at home so if I loose my smartphone there's nothing on it about banking. If I am forced later to use a smartphone by the bank I will get one and leave it at home. I do not use my phone to pay in shops, just my bank card.

Any further comment on this system or advice appreciated. Which browser? 

MeteredOut

Initial comment is: why?

But, if you want to do it: Safari or Chrome.

The_Groat_Counter

...or Firefox.

Just ensure it's kept updated, whichever browser it may be.

ButterCheese

I use duckduckgo.  It doesn't store history etc and IME is far less invasive than firefox or chrome.  It doesn't store history but you can bookmark favourite pages/sites

Exodi

Just being honest, the post comes off mostly as irrational paranoia - typically (though not always) by older people.

For example:

happyhacker said:
I do not use my phone to pay in shops, just my bank card.

This is a relatively common tactic that gets touted, but makes very little sense to me... it's a lot easier to pay with a lost card (most times, you can just tap it or attempt to use the details to buy things online) than it is with a lost phone (that will nearly always require 2FA, usually biometrics). Even if someone swiped the phone from your hand while it was unlocked, the payment processors require a second round of authentication to make payment as well).

You'd do much better devoting your time to improving security (e.g. common ones are not using the same PIN/password for your phone and bank app (though ideally biometrics), where possible setting up an authenticator instead of text 2FA which could be spoofed, etc) than wasting time setting up specific web browsers for specific websites.

ButterCheese said:

I use duckduckgo.  It doesn't store history etc and IME is far less invasive than firefox or chrome.  It doesn't store history but you can bookmark favourite pages/sites

Or just browse in the browsers private browsing mode, e.g. incognito.

Eyeful

1. There is nothing wrong with using just one browser for online banking & a different browser for general browsing.
It is called compartmentalising and is recommended by some security experts.  

2. There is nothing wrong with paying by card rather than a smartphone either.
I would suggest you use a credit card and pay off the amount in full at the end of the month.

3. You might want to look into using a YubiKey for secure login and multi-factor authentication on macOS devices.

4. Do use a good free password manager like Bitwarden & Proton for generating & storing your passwords.

5. Not everyone wants or needs a smartphone but vested interest groups are forcing us down that path. 

GeoffTF

The OP is sensibly and reasonably motivated. Using a different browser for banking will offer some protection. I use a separate machine for accessing my financial accounts, which is much safer. I have installed Linux Mint on an old business desktop that I bought for very little on eBay, but that requires some technical knowledge. You can get a new Chromebook for £129 and £159 buys a good one, e.g. from Argos. Either would do the job. 

Zanderman

Exodi said:

Just being honest, the post comes off mostly as irrational paranoia - typically (though not always) by older people.

For example:

happyhacker said:
I do not use my phone to pay in shops, just my bank card.

This is a relatively common tactic that gets touted, but makes very little sense to me... 

It may make little sense to you, but it does to many others.

Many people I see in shops pay using physical cards (I do, often, not least as I don't bother to have my phone on me at all times, I'm not welded to it), quite often cash still (I do, sometimes).  Some use phones (I do, sometimes). It is personal preference, not 'irrational paranoia'.

There is not, in my experience, a definite correlation with age. But if there is a bias, for physical cards, by older people it is a sign of being comfortable with that system, again not 'irrational paranoia'.

GeoffTF

Zanderman said:

Exodi said:

Just being honest, the post comes off mostly as irrational paranoia - typically (though not always) by older people.

For example:

happyhacker said:
I do not use my phone to pay in shops, just my bank card.

This is a relatively common tactic that gets touted, but makes very little sense to me... 

It may make little sense to you, but it does to many others.

Many people I see in shops pay using physical cards (I do, often, not least as I don't bother to have my phone on me at all times, I'm not welded to it), quite often cash still (I do, sometimes).  Some use phones (I do, sometimes). It is personal preference, not 'irrational paranoia'.

There is not, in my experience, a definite correlation with age. But if there is a bias, for physical cards, by older people it is a sign of being comfortable with that system, again not 'irrational paranoia'.

Cards are not only smaller and lighter than mobile phones, but they are free from the bank. If one is lost or stolen, the bank will compensate you for any financial loss and send you a new one. (They can withhold the first £35 of any loss before you notify them that the card is missing, but the big banks do not usually do that.) They would not buy you a new mobile phone. If a debit card is lost or stolen, the loss is limited to the account to which the card is attached. Your other accounts are safe. That gives peace of mind.

ih8stress

I agree with others on here - and yes, I don't mind admitting to be a young 'old fogie' now and somewhat set in my ways.

It is only in the past year that I have finally succumbed to getting a smartphone, though it is not always 'mobile' - I do not have the need to have it permanently glued to my hand, like younger family members.

I still do online banking for my main account but have got 2 banking Apps on the phone. However I do not take it out with me or surf the internet with it at all - I use a pc for surfing and a cheaper phone on the rare occasions I go out.

I also prefer to use a physical card or even cash, god forbid, when shopping. The card is one used entirely for that purpose, with a low amount on it, topped up prior to going out if necessary.

I have 2FA on an old 'dumb' phone not connected to the bank Apps.

Just because we might do things differently, it doesn't make our choice wrong. I do try and adapt occasionally but we all need to do what feels best for us, everyone has different needs.

The Op is trying to protect themselves in a way that they can feel comfortable with, and should be commended for trying to do that in whichever way works best for them and their circumstances.

I think the suggestions about an authenticator are interesting though and will look into the best ones to use instead of 2FA.

heterodyne76

I think the point being made was that if someone swipes your phone out of your hand, they won't be able to use it with Google or Apple Pay as it requires biometrics in each instance.

If someone grabs your card it's a contactless payment spree until a limit is reached.