Security of internet banking

[whiffey]

Given the alarming report in the Guardian about the potential insecurity of HSBC's internet banking, does anybody know any more about it (without revealing too much).

Presumably a) a hacker would need to target a specific user and b) keylogging software would need to be present on the local PC ?

How prevalent is malicious keylogging, will virus/spyware scanners find them, and surely they would drag the PC performance right down ?

I suggest that an *absolutely* secure connection can be achieved by booting the PC into Linux from a CD each time you bank online and always typing the bank's URL rather than using a link or a saved 'favourite'

[Catso]

Yes and yes.

It is quite prevalent amongst the less computer-literate users, it is shocking how many have no idea of the nastiness that is loose on the internet. Yes, AV should find 99%+ of the key-loggers but many, many people don't have any AV software. And if they do, they don't bother with a subscription. "AV? Yes, I got that with the PC" (2 years ago)

Keyboard loggers can be very small and efficient.

Yes, Linux would stop of lot of it! But do you think you could persuade people to actually do this?

[vinovin]

if you are bothered about keyloggers how about this
if you use XP click on start......go to all programs......go to accessories......then accessibility......then on-screen keyboard (you can even make a desktop shortcut) and do your banking without touching the keyboard