Managing Connected Apps: Why It Matters and How to Stay Safe

In today’s digital banking world, many people connect third-party apps and services to their financial accounts. These could include budgeting tools, payment services, shopping apps, or even social media platforms that request account access for convenience.

While these connections can make life easier, they also create potential security risks if not managed carefully.

The Dangers of Unchecked Connected Apps

• Excessive Access to Your Accounts – Many connected apps request “read” and “write” access. This means they can view your account balances, transactions, and sometimes even move money. If that app is compromised, your account could be too.
• Data Sharing Beyond Your Control – Some apps may share your financial information with advertisers, data brokers, or other third parties — often buried deep in their privacy policies.
• Security Weak Links – Your bank may have strong security, but the app you connected to it might not. Hackers often target the weakest link in the chain.
• Outdated or Forgotten Access – Many people forget about apps they connected years ago. Even if you no longer use them, they may still have permission to access your data.

Best Practices for Managing Connected Apps

1. Review Your Connections Regularly – Log in to your online or mobile banking account. Look for “Connected Apps,” “Linked Accounts,” or “Security Settings.” Review the list at least every 3–6 months.
2. Remove Access You Don’t Use – If you no longer use the app, revoke its access immediately. Removing access doesn’t delete the app; it simply stops it from pulling your financial data.
3. Limit Permissions – Give apps the least amount of access they need to function. For budgeting tools, “read-only” access is safer than “full access.”
4. Use Reputable Apps Only – Download apps from official app stores. Check ratings, reviews, and privacy policies. Look for apps with a history of regular updates and security patches.
5. Enable Alerts for Unusual Activity – Set up text or app alerts for large withdrawals, new payees, or unusual logins. This ensures you’ll know right away if something suspicious happens.
6. Change Banking Passwords After Revoking Apps – If you remove access from a suspicious or compromised app, change your online banking password immediately.

Signs a Connected App May Be Risky

• It asks for more permissions than necessary.
• It hasn’t been updated in a long time.
• It has poor reviews or complaints about data misuse.
• It requests direct debit/withdrawal permissions without a clear reason.

Bottom Line

Connected apps can be powerful tools — but every connection is a potential doorway into your financial life. By reviewing and managing them regularly, limiting permissions, and removing unused ones, you close those doors to fraudsters.

Remember: Even the best fraud prevention starts with controlling who has access to your money and data.