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6 October 2003
Standard Bank has further enhanced its Internet banking security to provide customers with a safer online banking environment.
The bank has introduced a new feature to its calculator-type pin pad, which was launched in July. This feature randomly "scrambles" the pin pad to produce 3,6 million variations of the pad. The feature eliminates keystroke and mouse-click logging.
The pin pad pops up when customers log onto the Internet banking site. This means that every time customers log on to do their Internet banking, they will use a different pin pad combination, making it more difficult for hackers to track their keystrokes or mouse-clicks.
Says Herman Singh, Director Direct Channels at Standard Bank: "The security of our customers is a top priority at Standard Bank and we are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to provide them with an even safer online environment. Customers should remember that Internet security is a journey and not a destination and that we monitor the environment to detect and address any new and emerging threats". He also emphasised that there have not been any reported incidents of Standard Bank clients being subjected to this type of fraud.
Standard Bank is the only local bank to provide its customers with free McAfee firewall and anti-virus software. To date more than 35 000 Standard Bank customers have downloaded this software. The software has identified and eliminated more than 1 000 000 viruses on customers' PCs.
Standard Bank's Internet Banking customer-base continues to grow, from 260 000 in July to the current 280 000. About 500 new customers are signing on daily. Internet banking recently hit a new volume record with 500 000 transactions in one day.
Singh says that additional security features are currently being tested and will be introduced shortly.
As part of the bank's ongoing commitment to partner with its customers to provide a safe computing environment, Standard Bank offers the following advice:
- Never allow you browser (for example, Internet Explorer or Netscape) to save your personal identification number (PIN).
- Keep your Internet banking and ATM PINs safe.
- Don't run any programme files unless you know they are safe and where they came from.
- Don't open any suspicious e-mail attachments.
- Ensure you are at the Standard Bank website by checking the address (https://www.encrypt.standardbank.co.za) and security certificate.
- Have an anti-virus and firewall software package installed and keep it updated.
- Control who has access to your computer.
- Do not bank from public-access computers, such as Internet cafes.
- When banking online, always enter our full web address: https://www.encrypt.standardbank.co.za.
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