Johannesburg, 07 Apr 2003
The second annual online security week run by eBucks.com begins this week. The aim of the week is to educate consumers about online banking to improve security and break stigmas associated with the medium.
[VIDEO]Angus Brown, CEO of eBucks.com, says the education message is threefold. Firstly, to educate online bank clients about keeping logon information private; keeping the client`s environment secure; and showing people who do not use online banking that, despite the security concerns associated with online banking, it is actually safe and secure.
"Online security is as much the responsibility of the user as it is of the bank. No matter how impenetrable the firewalls, if the customer shares his or her personal PIN and/or password with a third-party, the account is vulnerable to unauthorised access," Brown says.
Like with an ATM PIN or PC password, Brown advises customers to change PIN numbers and passwords on a regular basis, and to use numbers that are not obvious, such as a birthday or dog`s name.
The second component to security is that of the client`s environment.
"It is important that even if clients are doing Internet banking from home, they must not leave their password numbers lying around. It is essential clients logs off after completing their banking, especially if they are in an Internet caf'e or office environment.
"Not logging off amounts to leaving your bank card in an ATM and walking away," he says.
It is also important that customers don`t give away their PIN to a bank official or someone claiming to be a bank official. While bank officials may call customers from time to time, they will never ask for the customer`s PIN.
"There are instances where banks make calls to check personal information with clients. Before answering any questions confirm that the individual is, in fact, from the bank. If you are not satisfied, feel free to call your branch.
"Once you are completely satisfied that the call is authentic, then you can give personal information including your ID number and account number. But never give out your access code or PIN," Brown says.
Once customers have been set up on Internet banking, they can transfer money from one account to another, pay accounts and check their account balance.
The week is being run by eBucks.com in conjunction with 5fm, the Sunday Times and ITWeb.
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