Topic: Fears over online banking checks

[Clive]

Complicated security checks could be undermining confidence in online banking, warn experts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7091206.stm

[GillE]

It's a pity that article isn't accompanied by details of how many online bank accounts there are, how many new ones are being opened and how many are being closed.  In fact, the few statistics that are given (fraud down 67%, phishing attacks up 42%) mean nothing without something to set them in context.

[Rik]

Oddly enough, more security checks seem a good idea to me, and I've been banking online since 1986 (Bank of Scotland on the Prestel system).

[Simon]

A lot of people simply can't be bothered if things look too complex.  A lot of my friends and relatives are fine with their PCs, until there's a problem, or something happens that they don't understand.  Then they either panic and call me, or click Yes / No buttons without really understanding what they are being asked (it must be OK because the box went away).  Some people I know have had their PC for years, but have never purchased anything online, and would certainly never entertain the idea of online banking, because of fear from lack of understanding, and a can't be arsed mentality when it comes to learning anything new.

[Clive]

Halifax launches security centre

High street bank Halifax has launched an online security centre for its customers to reassure them about the safety of online banking services.

It offers advice on choosing a secure password, firewall and anti-virus software and there is even a quiz to test your knowledge of online security.

Shoomon Perry, head of ecommerce at Halifax, said: "We make every effort to ensure customers' online security, but there are some simple steps everyone can take to stay safe online.

"Using a firewall to prevent hackers from accessing your computer is a wise step, as is choosing a password that is hard for someone else to guess but easy for you to remember," Perry continued.

The Halifax Security Centre also offers guides to phishing attacks, Trojan horses and viruses.

www.halifax.co.uk
www.getsafeonline.org

I scored 7/8 in the quiz - failing on taking backups.   

Link fixed - thanks Rik!

[Rik]

Linky needs a fix...

8/8 - but I'm paranoid about backups, ask Simon.

[Simon]

I scored 8 too - shame on you, Clive!   

Oh, and Rik has about as many computers going, as this bloke has drums:



Check out a couple of videos:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/neilpeartfinale.html

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/neilpeartsnare.html

[Rik]

Not quite - it just feels like it on Patch Tuesday.

Love those videos - I wonder what he does if he ever misses catching the stick? I also not he almost certainly learned to play in a marching band, he's using the unmatched grip.

[GillE]

I'd like to see him march with that lot!

[Simon]

I don't know the technical terms, but he has recently changed from the 'marching' grip to the 'normal' one.  Not being a drummer, I have never understood how that 'marching' grip can be of any advantage, but I'm sure someone will tell us. 

[Clive]

The links are Quicktime and my computer doesn't do that. 

Oh well I just backed up my Outlook Express address book.  I tried to back up an Excel spreadsheet onto a memory stick but it reckons it can't be done?  Is my computer telling porkys?   

[Rik]

I don't know the technical terms, but he has recently changed from the 'marching' grip to the 'normal' one.  Not being a drummer, I have never understood how that 'marching' grip can be of any advantage, but I'm sure someone will tell us. 

The position of the traditional side drum in a marching band means that the left hand could never achieve the required angle for the drum head, as it's riding on the outside of the left thigh and at an angle. So the reverse, or unmatched grip, came to be employed. As many jazz drummers started out in marching bands, you still see them using the grip - and adjusting the drum kit to suit.

With modern frame-supported drums, the tendency is dying out somewhat, and drummers are more likely to use the matched grip, ie both hands are on top of the sticks.

[Rik]

Oh well I just backed up my Outlook Express address book.  I tried to back up an Excel spreadsheet onto a memory stick but it reckons it can't be done?  Is my computer telling porkys?   

It should work - do you have enough free space? What error message did you get?

[Clive]

I've done it now and I'm surprised how much I've actually got backed up on that stick.  It's mainly templates I need, so apart from my address book, I don't need to back up all that regularly.  I now give myself 7.5 out of 8.     However, what happens is when I click on save in with either Word 2000 or Excel, it crashes for the first couple of times. 

[Rik]

Odd. Is anything showing up in Device Manager. I just wonder whether the USB port is being put to sleep, or the flash drive is switching off.