Internet Security (????)

[Gardian]

Not strictly France-related, but possibly relevant to all of us.

I've just received the third 'Internet Security' type email from what purports to be one of the major UK banks. The sender in this case is 'INTERNETSECURITY@HALIFAX.CO.UK' .  One of the others was from Egg and the other from Nationwide (I think). The subject in each case was 'Notice Alert - Update your Account Information'.  Being naturally suspicious, I've zapped all 3 messages without opening them.  Oh, and I'm not a customer of any of these 3 organisations, nor ever have been.

Anybody else had one of these messages and if so, are they benign or dodgy?

[Will]

There are loads of these floating about. Just delete them. No real bank asks for your personal details in an unsolicited e-mail. It is amazing how many people fall for it.

If in any doubt hold your mouse over any links they ask you to click on and you will see that although the web or e-mail address that appears at the bottom of the screen looks convincing at first sight, it actually points to a site other than the bank's. If still in doubt, then forward the message to the bank concerned and get them to confirm whether or not it is genuine.

[Dick Smith]

It's called Phishing, and as Will says, it is an attempt to get you to give out your bank details. There have been hundreds in the past, I haven't had one for a while - the last one was for a US bank, which tells you how sophisticated this operation isn't.

Just bin it.

[Val_2]

I had the same message last week and deleted it straightaway because we do not believe in internet banking or buying anything which involves bank accounts/cards as it is too dangerous, therefore it could not have been real because the Halifax do not know we have internet and have only ever written to us with interest or enquiries over the years.

[Bob T]

I don't think that there is any problem with internet banking itself, I have been using it for years with no hassle. I think that the problem is with hte emails. That does not make internet banking risky.

I have also bought loads of stuff with a debit card ober the net and providing you are dealing with know companies there should be no problem there either.

There are far more dodgy things floating about on the net, most via email, than idiots asking for banking details.

[Dick Smith]

Or idiots answering them?

Someone must, or the criminals wouldn't bother. And these aren't kids in their bedrooms doing this, they are 'criminal gangs'.

[Gardian]

Thanks all - much as I thought.

[Gluestick]

[quote user="Bob T"]I don't think that there is any problem with internet banking itself, I[/quote]

Unfortunately, Bob, you confidence is misplaced.

Barclays is one bank whose customer database was hacked.

One of the core problems, here, is that all financial institutions are paranoid about public perception of their security: when hackers strike, invariably, the banks hide this reality, since if the public picked up on what had happened, well, they would all be closing their accounts!

In fact, cyber blackmail has become quite the thing!

Despite the blitz of publicity, a TV prog this week aired how criminals are now cloning Chip N Pin cards, which makes one think.

No system devised by man cannot be beaten by man.

 

[Will]

Just to get things into perspective, chip and pin and online banking or purchasing are not 100% secure, nothing can be, as Gluestick says, but they are safer than the older systems.

People seem worried about using credit cards over the internet, yet they would quite happily give all the information needed to make a purchase over the phone, where anybody in earshot could have made a note of the details, or hand over the cards in a shop where the details and signature were recorded (or could easily be 'borrowed').

Even though internet banking is basicaly secure, people can easily be persuaded to break that security through these 'phishing' e-mails, so if you ignore any unsolicited e-mails of this nature you should not go wrong. You should always check with the institution concerned if not sure.

[Bob T]

Thanks for the info Gluestick, but I have internet banked with Barclays since the late 90s and not had any problem. I also internet bank with Halifax and Nationwide.

To put it into perspective, if the disclosure of details from Barclays resulted in 10 people being hacked then the other millions seem to be OK. I will continue with internet banking for the convenience. There are many things which are risky but people still do them and often the risk is far greater than having you bank account hacked.

On that note I'll just have another fag, and may go for a ride on my motorbike.

Whatever you do don't fly on an aeroplane will you, some people have died doing that.

[Bugsy]

[quote user="Bob T"]

On that note I'll just have another fag, and may go for a ride on my motorbike.
Whatever you do don't fly on an aeroplane will you, some people have died doing that.
[/quote]

[:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Gluestick]

If you are happy and confident Bob, then that's fine.

One of the problems is that you might not even realise you have a problem until a debt collection agency chases you for a loan you have never signed, or you are refused some financial transaction and have great difficulty finding out why.

Hacking isn't just about nicking cash from your account, remember, a large part now is ID theft.

 

[allanb]

[quote user="Bob T"]Thanks for the info Gluestick, but I have internet banked with Barclays since the late 90s and not had any problem.

[/quote]

"There are only two kinds of people: those who have had a problem, and those who haven't had a problem yet."

[Bob T]

"There are only two kinds of people: those who have had a problem, and those who haven't had a problem yet."

You are correct of course. They nust be a couple of hundred people who have had a problem and millions who have not. But I know which ones use a more convenient banking method.

There are those who have been killed in car accidents and there are those that have not - makes as much sense as your line! Perhaps we should all give up driving too.

[allanb]

[quote user="Bob T"]"There are only two kinds of people: those who have had a problem, and those who haven't had a problem yet."

You are correct of course. They nust be a couple of hundred people who have had a problem and millions who have not. But I know which ones use a more convenient banking method.

There are those who have been killed in car accidents and there are those that have not - makes as much sense as your line! [/quote]

Well, I admit I was being a bit facetious.  But car accidents are a different matter.  You can't have a car accident without being aware of it.  You can have a credit card or bank problem without knowing it until much later.

I'm not arguing against internet banking - I use it all the time.  But I know it carries some risk and I take what precautions I can.  A bit like wearing a seat belt.