Can you trust mobile banking apps? How to stay as safe as possible when banking on your phone.

By Andrew Marder Many are suspicious of banking apps. Here's three things that will help. This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet. Americans embraced mobile banking

as their main account access more than any other method from 2017 to 2021, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s 2021 report on unbanked and underbanked households.

Even so, a new NerdWallet survey found that many people are hesitant to use mobile banking because of security concerns. More than 2 in 5 (42%) banking customers who don't use

mobile banking apps say they don't trust the security of them as the reason. Although those concerns aren't unfounded, they don't need to come between you and a successful mobile

banking life. Here are steps you can take to ensure you're as safe as possible when banking on your phone. Also see: Want millions more in retirement? This small investment tweak

can make a big difference Install only trusted apps Most mobile users are on Android or iOS, which both have app stores. For people with iPhones, it's the Apple (AAPL) App Store,

while Android users get the Google (GOOGL) Play Store. These app stores are the go-to places for finding authentic, safe apps. Apple's vetting process for all the apps in its store

includes a number of security reviews. These cover aspects including standard privacy policy concerns and ensuring the apps don't mislead users. Google offers apps certified by its

Play Protect system. Play Protect scans apps added to your phone and can remove or deactivate apps that are potentially harmful. It can also warn you about apps that violate

Google's unwanted software policy, which polices apps' transparency and ease of use. If you're in doubt about which mobile banking app to install, go directly to your bank's

website on your phone. Most banks will supply a link to the official app in the app store of your choice. If your bank doesn't, contact it to make sure you're getting the app you

need. Also see: Americans name their No. 1 financial New Year's resolution -- and the timing couldn't be better Use two-factor authentication when available Even Americans who use

mobile banking apps -- almost three-quarters (74%) of users -- have concerns about mobile banking, according to the NerdWallet survey. Of those, 63% say they're worried about their

accounts being hacked. One of the best ways to keep your bank accounts safe, no matter how you bank, is to have a strong, unique password -- "ILoveCats!" doesn't count. With a

strong password, you can add a second layer of protection with two-factor authentication, or 2FA. Two-factor authentication is like the door attendant at an apartment building.