PC banking refers to a person being able to access their banking information from a "personal computer." It has become a popular method for people to manage money and pay bills using online servers to log in to their account and pay bills, transfer money between accounts and reconcile check ledgers. PC banking is still relatively new and has some security matters of which users need to be aware.
Log In
PC banking allows you to log in to accounts established at brick and mortar banks. User names and passwords should be kept confidential and unique to prevent hacking and account breaches.
24/7 Access
Account access is available 24 hours a day with updated information on deposits, withdrawals, debit purchases and cleared checks.
Research
Customers can research which checks have cleared and often view pictures of cleared checks for the previous 60 days at least. This can save time and money when looking for specific transactions.
Security
Most banks use an encryption protocol on their servers called Secure Sockets Layer to protect against hacking. While this is strong from the bank's side, personal computers don't enjoy the same level of protection.
FDIC
For FDIC member institutions, insurance is available on bank accounts up to a total of $250,000 per depositor. Be sure to use only legitimate insured institutions to protect assets.