Virus emptying bank accounts

[MollyGetsHerWandOut]

I have updated my anit virus. How do you update to the latest operating system? I don't do online banking dinosaur who knows too many IT people who put me off

What concerns should I have? I have opened the odd dogy link from trusted people who emailed me.

We were in the Apple shop yesterday getting our mac fixed we asked the mac salesman about getting anti virus whilst we were there he us that in the 4 years he had worked for apple he has never seen a virus on a mac as they have built in protection and most viruses are aimed at pcs, did say just be sensible and don't open any attachments, but then we don't do online banking anyway

Just to reassure everyone - if you don't use online banking, there is NO WAY a virus could possibly empty your bank account.

What about if you do online banking but you don't open attachments?

I'm just thinking that I need online banking, but I could make sure I never open email attachments on this pc.

I don't open strange ones anyway but am I right in thinking that they look as though they have been sent by people you know?

although the rest of the email should be a clue.

I have taken to sending my husband emails with some text that identifies me if I need to send an attachment. Some daft thing that is an ongoing joke between us.

I wouldn't open an attachment that just came from someone in my address book but was just a link/attachment and no text.

Is that enough or still exposing me to risk?

I'm taking the stance (same as usual really) that if my operating system is up to date, my virus protection is up to date, and I never open anything with a zipped attachment no matter how convincing it looks, it's very unlikely that anything could get through.

If you don't do online banking then the virus cannot empty your bank account. It can't log into your bank account remotely if you don't even have a password and have never typed it in.

Is this a recent news story? Can someone post a link please?

It's the Gameover Zeus virus. Link here (from the Independent).

ESET do a free online scanner, useful as an extra check in addition to a fully updated OS and resident security.

I thought we could ensure security of banking if we did everything in branch. However, some banks are actively pushing customers into online banking by reducing service in branch and offering a poor telephone service. Barclays. Ahem. :(

I'm a Barclays customer and I'm a big fan of their online banking system. It saves me having to drive to the town centre, park, pay to park then queue up just to do something I can do in seconds online.

The PINSentry thing they use means even if the virus infected your machine, they still can't access the website unless they're clever enough to steal your card, have a card reader and know your PIN!

The "expert" bloke chatting on the TV the other morning about this said it was not just about online banking - although that is obviously the main concern for many.

He said they can lock down everything you have on your computer - every single file, photo etc and demand a ransom from you to allow access back.

Now part of me (total technophobe no knowledge about cybercrime) thinks why would they bother to do this when they can probably access peoples bank accounts alot quicker to get the ££££ they obviously want.

Anyway - the advice was to back up absolutely everything and anything you dont want to lose.

niceguy - I thought the problem with the virus was the issue with typing in your credentials, not knowing you were infected? They get what they need this way.

I understand but Barclays use a pinsentry device which gives out a random code after you've pushed your card into the device and typed your PIN. This code can only be used once and never again.

That is what is typed into your computer. So if the virus did record your keystrokes, all it gets is the one time code which is now useless.

I know HSBC also use a similar device since my wife banks with them. I'm assuming others do too.

Halifax ask for a couple of random characters from my password which I don't type but select from a dropdown box. So nothing is ever 'typed'.

Basically don't believe the hype. You are far more at risk from someone stealing your money by handing your card over in a shop than through your online banking website.

The security measures and encryption will be insane for a bank and regularly tested by ethical hacking teams.

If you stick to normal websites and avoid the dodgier parts of the Internet then you really shouldn't have anything to fear.

It's the Daily Mail! It's always apocalypse now with them.

Isn't it this weekend that the holding measures run out?

In which case: last call to update virus protection.