Online banking offers consumers a convenient means of accessing accounts and paying bills online.

Yet certain safety considerations and practices should be followed when conducting personal financial business over the Internet.

Several websites offer useful guides to banking safely online. Here are a few:

Bankrate.com: Explores online banking basics, convenience and security. bankrate.com/finance/savings/should-you-bank-online-1.aspx

Consumer Action: Offers detailed look at online banking, including risks and security measures. consumer-action.org/english/articles/your_digital_dollars-banking_online_safely

Financial Planning Association: Spotlights how-to steps to safe online banking. fpanet.org/ToolsResources/TipoftheWeek/PastTips/Banking/HowtoSafelyBankOnline

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.: Provides important tips for safe banking over the Internet. fdic.gov/bank/individual/online/safe.html

Security Today: Features safety considerations for different online banking category groups, including mobile. security-today.com/articles/2011/08/03/online-banking-safety-tips.aspx