Don't bank online at public computers

[Dave A]

The dangers of doing internet banking from a public computer is highlighted in this news report from IOL:

The Scorpions are investigating an international online banking fraud ring and have already arrested a South African in the case, it was revealed on Wednesday.

----

It is thought the man used the spyware on vulnerable computers in internet cafes to capture details including card numbers and customer-selected PINs and passwords.

The details were then transmitted via a remote internet access device to a file server in Estonia, and were then retrieved by the alleged fraudster, who use them to log onto internet banking sites and make numerous electronic fund transfers and prepaid airtime purchases.

Most of the affected internet cafes are in Johannesburg's northern suburbs and Pretoria, with isolated cases reported in Cape Town.

[Dave A]

Received today in a Standard Bank email newsletter:

Should I use an internet cafe for my banking?
So, you are on holiday and forgot to set up future-dated payments. What to do? You may choose to run into a nearby Internet café and make the payments. But, we suggest you do not unless you have registered for our One-time password service. Without this additional layer of security, someone can easily load spy and key-logging software on computers in Internet cafés. They then come back and retrieve your card number, customer-selected PIN and password making it easier for them to possibly steal your money.

One-time password is a service that sends you a password by SMS or email. The password is valid for only one session and will be different each time. This means that no one can add, delete or amend beneficiaries, change your profile or make once-off payments from your account unless they have access to your cellphone or email. To register for One-time password, go to Profile, tick the One-time password box and fill in your cellphone number or email address.

You can also use our cellphone banking service as a more secure option to an Internet café. All you need to do is activate cellphone banking on your Internet banking profile before you leave and, using your cellphone browser, type in sbcell.co.za. You use the same customer-selected PIN as you use for Internet banking.