IFTs Using Smart Phones

[TopNotch]

Does anyone feel safe making interfund transfers, contribution allocations, etc. in the real TSP using a smart phone? How about trading in your Fidelity, Vanguard, etc. brokerage account via smart phone? I try to use a desktop PC, but sometimes it isn't convenient.

[Snapdragon]

I do all of that on my android. You do anything on the internet you take a risk, but with good passwords and some security software in place, I don't really worry about it.

On a similar note, I do have LifeLock. Thats because this gov employee doesn't trust the gov. They keep losing people's info.

[mmmmmbeer]

I use it all the time. Zero problems.

[bamafamily]

I also do everything using my Iphone, Ipad or PC....Whichever one is handy....
No issues thus far...

[TopNotch]

Based on these suggestions I'm going to try it. The biggest hassle was going to FedEx office to do trading in my brokerage account.

[Psalm23]

I'm too chicken. I do everything on my desktop.

[Navig8tor]

No problems doing IFT's on my Android phone. Comes in handy when you're plowing 70-mph down the road and you need pull over to do an IFT. Of course, PLAN AHEAD!! Don't wait until 1155 and lock it up to get into the e-lane for an IFT

[kavic]

Please explain to me why a desktop computer is safer? They get far more viruses and malware, are easily hacked and their browsers easy targets for Trojans to spy on you logging into your bank. Of course if you have a rooted or jailbroken phone then it’s probably just as easy. I personally think the browsers on the phone are safer since it’s harder to secretly install software on them.

[TopNotch]

I thought that government computers had a strong firewall and were safer, but you make some good points.

[Psalm23]

I guess having Norton 360 software on my desktop is still not safe?

[mjedlin66]

I guess having Norton 360 software on my desktop is still not safe?

Realistically speaking, almost anything can be hacked. The fact that you have any anti-virus at all helps as long as it is up to date. A big factor is how you use the computer. If you browse to a lot of suspicious websites and install applications that you do not trust, then you are more at risk.

[Aitrus]

I guess having Norton 360 software on my desktop is still not safe?

Realistically speaking, almost anything can be hacked. The fact that you have any anti-virus at all helps as long as it is up to date. A big factor is how you use the computer. If you browse to a lot of suspicious websites and install applications that you do not trust, then you are more at risk.

Agreed. But beware which antivirus you use. Avoid Kaspersky. Norton, Macaffee and Trend Micro are excellent, but really slow down the machine when running a scan.

[Midway]

There are many articles on the interweb warning of using open wifi networks on your mobile device. May be safer using the "Network" connection (Sprint, Verizon, ...)

[Psalm23]

Thanks guys, good to know.

[kavic]

There are many articles on the interweb warning of using open wifi networks on your mobile device. May be safer using the "Network" connection (Sprint, Verizon, ...)

Absolutely safer using the “network” over open WiFi!