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Don’t pinch me – Number 10 in a list of internet scams you NEED to be aware of…?

Submitted on 14/01/2008 15:40

I can’t leave this subject alone, but online banking security is really a serious industry issue, not only with money being taken from customer’s accounts, but also their identities.


Over the break I read Alex Zaharow-Reutt’s report from IT Wire “Are banks doing enough to keep their customers safe and secure?” 


Reutt argues that with the massive boom worldwide of online banking, banks have started to roll out more sophisticated security such as two-factor authentication, but only to a minority of customers. He points out points out that the US was the first country to recognize that Government is important in pushing financial institutions to introduce better security. It’s not just the customer’s computer security that’s the issue, but also the bank’s own security of network.


I have discussed the vulnerabilities of online banking and mobile banking of late, and it is further compounded by three parts, the bank’s own security, the customer’s own protection of their records and computer security, and the last and evil part - the Hacker.  It is getting to a point where it may be difficult for a bank to protect the customer’s basic details.


I am glad to say that the Digipass system RaboPlus offers is still considered one of the most secure online banking systems available to retail customers.


I have comprised a list of the current issues out there, if you know of any more add to them!

1. Man in the Browser
2. Man in the Middle
3. Phishing
4. Hoax Emails and Fraudulent websites
5. Browser Hijackers
6. Spyware
7. Pop Ads - Adware
8. Vishing – fraudulent phone calls and numbers
9. Smishing: Mobile Banking Security – Brendan McGee posted this great discussion on mobile banking security in October. “Discussion about Mobile Banking Security at a Feverish Pitch”

So another one to add to the list!
10. The Pinch


Brian Kregs of the Washington Post has focused on this issue by warning of a new class of malicious software which is specifically designed to counter the security technology of Bank of America and others that allow customers to change their account details online.
The new version of a trojan called ‘Pinch’, also looks to pinch the special token that gets planted on the machine of anyone who banks online who is using ‘Adaptive Authentication’, a web site security technology often called ‘Site Key’ which is owned by RSA Security.
F-Secure says the guys behind the Pinch Trojan are from Russia and it is available in Russian or English.


This issue is not going away and it’s one we all need to work against.


Please share any scams you know about on my blog so we can all be extra diligent and report anything suspicious. 

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Comments

1. Steve Swarz (Sydney)Quote | 08/03/2008 07:03

Would it be possible for you to quote "effective rates" for term deposits as well as the nominal rates?

2. Bryan Inch (Sydney)Quote | 14/03/2008 11:11
Steve Swarz (Sydney) wrote:
Would it be possible for you to quote "effective rates" for term deposits as well as the nominal rates?

Steve, thank you for your comment and I agree it would be much clearer to promote effective rates. However, most of the industry uses nominal rates and it could become confusing for those people who don’t understand the difference.

I do like your thinking though and will pass your comments onto our development team to see if there is a simple way they could be included.

3. Mike Faulkner (Australia)Quote | 10/03/2010 07:49


You pay high rates for the PREMIUM SAVER ACCOUNT.
How do you employ these funds to generate an acceptable return for Rabobank?


4. Greg McAweeney (Sydney)Quote | 15/03/2010 07:51
Mike Faulkner (Australia) wrote:


You pay high rates for the PREMIUM SAVER ACCOUNT.
How do you employ these funds to generate an acceptable return for Rabobank?



Hi Mike, thanks for your comment. All funds deposited with RaboPlus are used by Rabobank Australia Ltd in our Agribusiness lending back to Australian farmers and producers. Rabobank Australia Ltd is the second largest lender to Australian agribusiness and a top 120 company within Australia (ranked by BRW magazine).


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About Greg

Greg McAweeney is the General Manager of RaboDirect Australia.

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