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AUSTRALIAN BANKERS' ASSOCIATION WARNS CUSTOMERS OF CYBERCRIME
Sydney, 31 May, 2004: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) warns online banking customers about cybercrime threats associated with their personal computers and personal email.
Customers who bank online should be aware of the following criminal attempts:
- Emails purporting to be from a bank and asking for confidential information;
- Emails asking customers to be a sales agent for a good or service, with the promise of commissions delivered to your bank account;
- Emails which ask customers to click on a link which sends them to a fake bank website (ghost website);
- Trojans - computer programs which conceal hidden programming which infects computers and are used by criminals to access or destroy other people's data.
Through these fraudulent means, criminals can access to your confidential online banking logon and password information via your personal computer which are then used to defraud accounts.
David Bell, Chief Executive of the ABA, said: “The Internet is an open environment which allows communication between computers of all types, all over the world. Unfortunately, this openness also creates opportunities for fraudsters and other criminals.
“All users of the Internet should protect themselves against Internet crime, by installing the latest anti virus protection software and updating it regularly. Without this defence, anyone conducting e-commerce is vulnerable.”
“Customer security is the number one priority for banks in offering online banking and banks are working with the Australian High Tech Crime Centre and the Australian Federal Police to identify and prosecute these criminals.”
“Remember that banks will never ask you for your online banking password or logon information and neither will a reputable merchant.”
“If you have any concerns, contact your bank or refer to their website for the latest security advice and information.”
ADVICE TO BANK CUSTOMERS
ABA and bank advice to customers regarding ghost websites, phishing and trojans is as follows:
- Avoid opening unsolicited emails. Instead, delete them from the menu, then permanently delete them from your ‘deleted items’ folder;
- Never click on a link in a email which attempts to send you to a bank’s website;
- Never log on to Internet banking other than by typing the address into your browser;
- If you do not have anti-virus software, we recommend you obtain anti-virus protection, run it and maintain it or use one of the many free tools available on the Internet;
- Use a personal firewall to prevent viruses from downloading onto your system or launching attacks against other Internet user’s systems;
- Do not run any software program unless you are certain of its origin and function;
- If you are concerned you have been affected by an email scam or Trojan, please contact your bank immediately and change your Internet banking password.
For further information:
Heather Wellard
ABA Public Relations
Phone: 02 8298 0411
Mobile: 0409 830 439
ENDS
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