Question about safety related to online banking..

[Jimbo]

Hey,
I was just wondering how safe is online banking and is it worth registering for a online account.
Im from the uk, so what has the banks there done for their customers around the world to protect them againts fraud etc.

Anybody got a idea???


Thanks, Jimbo

[_526th_Fireman]

Well jimbo, I am in the USA, been using online banking for quite awhile now. As far as safety, I look at it this way.....

They(the banking industry) have the latest and best protection available and are always on top of the security issue. THE LAST THING THEY NEED is for anyone to hack this system and steal everyone's money. Imagine.......online banking would be over as everyone would be afraid to use it again.

Besides, with a few personal ID numbers or little info, an educated thief can steal your money or make charges in your name and NEVER go online. There are easier ways for the crooks to get at your money or charge accounts than trying to hack the system or your info.

Just my personal thoughts...........but online banking is very convenient and as safe as anything else....know what I mean?  Make your own decision based on your level of paranoia....mines pretty low. lol      ;D

[Jared]

Another thing to be careful and watch out for is e-mails askign for your bank info, to update your account, or to allow you to get back into your account, etc...

I just got 3 different e-mails claiming to be from 3 different banks all telling me that my accounts were about to expire if I didn't act now and fill out their web-forms....

turns out I don't belong to any of those banks..

[the_autopilot]

Its pretty secure.

Almost all banks use SSL and they have their own protaction in place as well. Many will also offer verisign.

[_526th_Fireman]

B29_Superfortress described what is commonly called "Phishing". This technique is very hot now with the crooks. If you ever get one, don't respond to it. If you think it might be legit, go directly to your Bank's site or call them. Financial institutions are aware of this scheme and will never send you a form to fill out via your email. Be careful as the links in these "phishing" letters often look like it is to your financial institutions and/or credit card site, but hidden in the code it is actually directing you directly to the crooks site where he gathers the info.

I say find every one of them and then HANG every one of them!!! Heck, I will even provide the rope, slip the noose around their necks and with NO compunction at all, pull the lever!!!

[Jimbo]

Well because im out and about most of the times, i use public computers such as one's in hotels in spain etc.
Is this safe still? i cant even access to delete my cache on the pc, and who no's who might use it after me, or who might run the pc's.
It could be someone totally legal company, or a illegal fraudster setting up a cafe to gain details for banking---(sounds a bit farfetched)---.

Even if they are perfectly legit, at the end of the day it results to peice of mind, even when i get a trojan horse on my pc 8/10 i do a reformat, (from past experience).

Im sure some people are the same.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Jimbo

[_526th_Fireman]

I see your point with public computers. I would be leary of putting ANY personal info on those.

Take a laptop with you...........only thing I can think of. I would feel safe that way.