New Zealand Banks Demand a Peek at User PCs

Montgomery Burns III writes with a link to a ComputerWorld article on a ... unique approach to bank security. New Zealand financial institutions are looking for a way to access customer PCs used in online banking transactions. Their goal is to verify the security of the user's terminal. "Under the terms of a new banking Code of Practice, banks may request access in the event of a disputed transaction to see if security protection in is place and up to date. Liability for any loss resulting from unauthorized Internet banking transactions rests with the customer if they have 'used a computer or device that does not have appropriate protective software and operating system installed and up to date, [or] failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that the protective systems, such as virus scanning, firewall, antispyware, operating system and antispam software on [the] computer, are uptodate.'"

Comments

Re:LiveCD

[WrongSizeGlass]

So if I do internet browsing (online bank transactions included) using a LiveCD of BSD or GNU/Linux can I just send them a copy of the CD I use? No ... who do you think they are, NetFlix? ;-)

The phishing scam

[mh1997]

Helo,

I am frum the National Bank of Nijeria, after providing your name, social security number, bank acount number, and routin information, pleaze instal the attached file so that we may check your securitee settings. Pleaze disreagard all mispelings an gramer mistakes in this email, we were forced to outsource securty email to another countries to save you money and provide the best service that you are familar with us.

The Death of Online Banking

[Timtimes]

This attempt by the banking industry to shift transactional liability away from their servers and onto the backs of the consumers is what I'd expect from the ruthless rat bastards. Don't think something like this would fly in the U.S. Notwithstanding the fact that our government is spending a king's ransom getting all up in our computers already (NSA-FBI), our citizenry would be OUTRAGED and OFFENDED if they thought their bank was all up in their hard drives! Pity the bank that tried to pull that chicanery over here in our independent, democracy minded, privacy loving people. We, (as normal lucid citizens) don't seem to have the ability to do anything about all the government spying and abuse because, among other things, corporate interests are aiding and abetting in this effort (who's to say the New Zealand pc 'scanning' doesn't have the ability for abuse/misuse by some corporate spy or government fascist?). Here in America, we have the ability on the personal level to avoid those corporation who facilitate and profit by working with the government in mass producing the technical equalivent of Zyclon B. We'd avoid any online banking that required our PC's be probed. Just like we're avoiding AT&T right now for helping our government spy on us while no doubt contracting for the service (private mercenary telecom army). Enough on my rant against AT&T, and the many evil corporate minions who are enabling the commander in thief. I've got other things to do. My Iphone awaits. Enjoy.

Central Bank of New Zealand

[Timesprout]

We are glad to see such wide coverage of our new security measures. We are Central Bank are totally focussed on giving our users the most secure online banking experience possible. To that rnd and to help speed up the implementation of our new security measures could all Slashdot readers resident in New Zealand please respond to this post citing

(i) Full name, DOB and Address
(ii) Account number
(iii) Internet banking login name and password
(iv) Credit card number, expiry date and security code
(v) IP address and machine user name and password

Thank you for you assistance in this matter and we will report the security status of your machine to you as quickly as possible. If you feel uncomfortable entering this information you can always download our helper program (RapeMyAccountLikeItsaSheep.exe) from our website.

Central Bank
New Zealand

Re:The feeling is mutual.

[woodlander]

Could I ask the name of the bank? I need to move my account.

Re:It's about time

[barzok]

Also, since theyre claiming liability based on the security of your PC, you should have the right to investigate the security of their server.

We all know that won't happen, thanks to the golden rule.

He who has the gold, makes the rules.

SCAM WARNING Re:Central Bank of New Zealand

[zsau]

Please be aware that this is a scam! The New Zealand central bank is in fact called the "Reserve Bank of New Zealand". Don't provide the information the post asks for from him.