SCI/TECH: NZ Banks Block Internet Banking Access Because Of Infections, page 1

New Zealand's major banks blocked Internet Banking access to 1400 clients on Sunday. They notified the clients that their computers were infected with spyware, created by the United States Company Marketscore, and would not be able to do internet banking until their computers are cleaned up.

www.smh.com.au
New Zealand's major banks have blocked access to internet banking for hundreds of customers because they say their computers are infected with a so-called "spyware" program, it was reported on Sunday.

Westpac has notified 1400 customers and three other banks, including the Bank of New Zealand, have also warned clients that they will not be able to do internet banking until their personal computers are cleaned up, the New Zealand Herald said.

The spyware, created by the United States Marketscore, infects PCs when the user accesses certain websites, the paper said, stressing that no fraud was being committed but the banks were concerned about the impact on secure internet sessions when user names and passwords were keyed in.

The paper quoted Westpac spokesman Paul Gregory as saying the spyware program, which disguises itself as part of a secure session and records it, was "very clever".

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I think that this could be just the tip of the Iceberg here. I fear that you will see a lot more of this type of notice from banks. They are becoming more pro-active to protect the banking online systems out of necessity. We need better legislation to stop spyware, malware, etc.

There is a good streaming video article about New Zealand's major banks blocking internet account access , and Marketplace's practice in the link below.

Related News Links:
xtra.co.nz