Internet Banking Fraud

BCEagle91
Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:47:24 +0000

Wireless Routers can be a pain to setup for encryption when the network device doesn’t match the router. This can happen with mixed brands of router/network device.

I haven’t changed banking passwords since I got them so these things are probably at least 10 years old. I generally followed what I thought were best practices but several weeks ago was notified of a virus attempt - possibly from an infected adserver. I found that one did get in. Viruses can get in via zero-day attacks where antivirus companies haven’t had time to update their virus definitions for an attack that shows up without warning.

I’m now running (in addition to AV) Windows Defender, Avast, Spybot Search and Destroy and TeaTimer. I started doing regular scans on the system and haven’t seen any problems since running all of the heavy duty stuff. Shortly thereafter, I reconfigured my home setup to use my Mac which I use full-time at the office.

I have the feeling that Windows will always be plagued with virus and other attacks and it’s a never-ending battle between mal-ware makers and the anti-malware companies. I’m going to sit it out for the most part on Mac OSX. Linux is another option but it would be more work for me to maintain. Solaris would be another option.

For those with Discover Cards, one nice feature is one-use limited credit card numbers. You get the number on their website and then use it online and then it goes poof.

Another nice security approach would be the use of a SecureNet Card. This is a little device that looks like a calculator. When you go to do something on the web, you go to do the operation and it gives you an 8-digit number as a challenge. You then log into your SecureNet Card with an 8-digit number and then enter the challenge number. It returns a code that you enter to reply to the challenge. If all is good, then you’re in.

The SecureNet Card self-destructs if incorrect passwords are entered three-times in a row or if it runs out of power. I don’t expect this level of security from US merchants anytime soon. It’s also a pain in the neck to use a lot because you have to enter and type so many digits.

On Wireless security, you can get even better security if you log onto a network using VPN. This can be especially useful in public places so that others on the LAN can’t intercept your packets.