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Thread ID: 63582	2005-11-15 06:26:00	Close Up Tuesdays Spyware Story	pctek (84)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
404482	2005-11-15 20:10:00	People don't want to be secure, because people are innately lazy and obstinate when it comes to technology. The National Bank used to force password changes on people every 3 months (from memory). They had that many grizzles that they turned the feature off, which undoubtedly means half their internet banking clients are using crap passwords they haven't changed in donkeys years. The same one they use for their hotmail, every stupid site they've ever registered on etc.	ninja (1671)
404483	2005-11-15 20:49:00	The simple aswer is DO NOT use Internet Banking. Why do you need it?. Isn't it only a gimmick anyway?. A bank will always look for ways to make their operations cheaper. I nternet banking means less staff=more profit. Ask yourself, is anything a Bank does for your benefit of theirs. Stay away from Internet banking until the Banks make it secure. PJ	Poppa John (284)
404484	2005-11-15 20:49:00	The flip side of being forced to change your password periodically is that you are then more likely to write it down in order to remember what you changed it to, especially if you have several sites with different passwords. If you only have one, and protect it well (never give it out to anyone, use appropriate protection on your computer), then surely that is safer than having it written somewhere? I have used the same password for 10 years now, with variations when they require a number included (and no, it isn't a word found in a dictionary). I don't have to write it down since it doesn't change. Being forced to change passwords doesn't mean people will stop using crap passwords, indeed, it means they are more likely to use ones easy to remember.	user (1404)
404485	2005-11-15 21:09:00	use a linux live cd to do you internet banking in the mean time, and have a secure password	Prescott (11)
404486	2005-11-15 21:33:00	Being forced to change passwords doesn't mean people will stop using crap passwords, indeed, it means they are more likely to use ones easy to remember . From a sysadmins point of view, the vast majority of people choose crap passwords . So given the choice between people choosing a crap password that they never change, ever . and choosing a different crap password every few months, the second option looks a whole lot better . My personal peve is password systems that demand you add numbers, but only allow short (8 character) passwords . (this hasn't applied to any bank system I have used) an 8 character password with letters only gives you 52^8 combinations = 5 . 3 * 10^13 adding the possiblity that one is a number (ignoring that if you FORCE a number you actually lower the possiblities) you get 62^8 combinations = 2 . 1^14 so about 4 times as strong as without the number . However if you just allow us to add an additional letter (with no numbers) your password is 52^9 = 2 . 7^15 which is 10 times stronger than the password which forced numbers . Personally I usually use passwords in the 14->26 character password range . The thing that annoys me is that people are worried enough about security that they annoy their users by demanding complicated additions to their passwords (such as numbers) but don't even allow the much larger security benifit of longer passwords . -Qyiet	qyiet (6730)
404487	2005-11-15 23:10:00	The simple aswer is DO NOT use Internet Banking. Why do you need it?. Isn't it only a gimmick anyway?. A bank will always look for ways to make their operations cheaper. Because it is very convenient and personally I'm quite happy my computer is secure enough, then again I would say that considering I am a Mac user living in a world free of viruses and the like. :p Seriously though, it is like everything. Take proper precautions and it is unlikely you will have any problems though I do admit if I was using Windows I would be a bit more weary.	maccrazy (6741)
404488	2005-11-16 00:06:00	The simple aswer is DO NOT use Internet Banking . Why do you need it? . Isn't it only a gimmick anyway? . A bank will always look for ways to make their operations cheaper . I nternet banking means less staff=more profit . Ask yourself, is anything a Bank does for your benefit of theirs . Stay away from Internet banking until the Banks make it secure . PJ Ah, but the beauty is that the banks pretty much take on all the risk . It is just too useful for me . Security has to happen at both ends . I mean you wouldn't want anyone out there to be reading your personal correspondence too . The banks (e . g . BNZ) need to improve their authentication schemes though - they are a joke .	gibler (49)
404489	2005-11-16 01:40:00	The simple aswer is DO NOT use Internet Banking. Why do you need it?. Isn't it only a gimmick anyway?. A gimmick? And I suppose you avoid ATMs too? I do 95% of my business via online banking. I have a supplier in Christchurch - should I mail him a cheque? Drive down there and pay cash? Or waste time driving to the bank and waiting in line to deposit into his account? And with places like Trademe - the bank would be jammed with people waiting to pay there $20 for their latest pointless purchase into some account. Theres no big deal if you take precautions with your own PC security. Even if you don't use the banking - theres still other things that can happen due to spyware etc. Its not the banks repsonsibity - its the users.	pctek (84)
404490	2005-11-16 01:41:00	Ah, but the beauty is that the banks pretty much take on all the risk. g. BNZ) need to improve their authentication schemes though - they are a joke. PSIS doesn't. There small print says if you get hacked and lose it - your bad luck. Suits me fine - I take responsibilty for myself not expect to be babysitted by a corporation...enough of that **** around already.	pctek (84)
404491	2005-11-16 06:40:00	Just watched Close Up and the follow up story to last nights Internet Security segment . They mentioned that useful links sent into the show have been posted on the TVNZ website, so I took a looksie . . . PressF1's FAQ 16 on "Spyware, adware and viruses - how do I get rid of them?" is one of the 5 links given :thumbs: Also, I see the Auckland Linux Users Group is listed ;) Close Up list of related links you sent us ( . co . nz/view/tvone_minisite_story_skin/627565%3fformat=html" target="_blank">tvnz . co . nz)	Jen (38)
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