Minor online banking....risky?

shdw01 · Mar 7, 2009

This is what my gf does on her computer (banking-wise).....

1) Log into her credit card - from there she can review charges and make payment (although I think she mails checks anyways for pmt)

2) Log into her personal bank - savings and checking....from here she can review balances and transfer money between accounts.

her computer is shit, I think it has viruses, and she has done 1 and 2 on her computer......

....what is her exposure here.....the does not have bill-pay or any other services...i do not even think that her SSN or full acct # is in either account.....probably name, address, and financial information......keylogger would nab her pw, but is there anything that could happen? I guess identity theft-wise or any other harmful financial scams?

bucsfan67 · Mar 7, 2009

i have banked online for several years, without issues.....

shdw01 · Mar 7, 2009

what if your computer had viruses......would you still feel safe?

HarryCaray · Mar 7, 2009

I would not worry about it at all, personally.

Buster · Mar 7, 2009

i ain't skeered and have not bought a stamp in about 3 years...no writing of checks,worried about lost mail,late payments etc...out the window...set down one time and pay all bills with the click of the button...even has a calender where you can pick the day for it to be sent...freaking awesome...

shdw01 · Mar 7, 2009

i'm not doubting online banking...i think it is awesome myself....

just curious as to worst case scenario....i.e. major viruses?

Obv with bill pay they can write checks to random people....

Buster · Mar 7, 2009

i don't know about viruses,but why don't you just get them removed?unless it is a virus that captures keystrokes i don't think it would be a problem...go to AVG and get the free stuff..

Doug · Mar 7, 2009

Your GF is a minor ?

Sammy439 · Mar 7, 2009

I would not do it if my computer did not have one of the top notch virus software packages including continuous virus monitoring and firewall. Also there needs to be at least weekly virus scanning on top of the continuous monitoring.

I use online banking for years too, and when a virus tries to attack my computer, McAfee Anti Virus stops it immediately. It lets me know that it has thwarted a virus intrusion attempt. I also don't open emails that I don't know about. My bi-weekly virus scans always come up that my computer is clean so I'm not the least bit worried. I also run rootkit checks with seperate software too.

As for this person, why doesn't she run a virus scan and also a rootkit checker to make sure there are no viruses or rootkits installed? If it comes up clear then she is ok. If not then the software should simply remove the virus(es) and she can do the online banking with peace of mind.

shdw01 · Mar 7, 2009

so we all agree that virus protection + banking = safe

my point is that I'm thinking no virus protection + banking = safe

and no one seems to be able to see why it isn't.....

besides annoying shit that may slow your computer down....is it THAT bad with these viruses?

Sammy439 · Mar 7, 2009

Why would anyone not have virus protection? There are many free programs out there that are good. AVG is probably the best.

If you don't have virus protection I would not go on the internet at all.

krk1030 · Mar 7, 2009

The internet is like a cheap hooker, stay away if you dont have protection.

X-Files · Mar 7, 2009

shdw01 said:
so we all agree that virus protection + banking = safe

Nah, i do banking at my bank.

If preeteen girls can hack into Obama's bedroom and watch him
bang his SO, what do you think a real hacker can do to the
average joe with antivirus/firewall, let alone your GF.

shdw01 · Mar 7, 2009

Sammy439 said:
Why would anyone not have virus protection? There are many free programs out there that are good. AVG is probably the best.

If you don't have virus protection I would not go on the internet at all.

Without getting too much into it....my gf refuses to buy a new computer until we are living together (which obviously she is just holding out so she can use the ones I have).

her computer I swear to god is 10 years old (pentium III)....it came with windows 98 and over the years, I have added ram, replaced hard drive and other things since I would take them off garbage computers that are no longer compatible with anything....anyways, she has a pirate version of XP.

1) Adaware will not run on her computer...needs a service pack, but cannot get it with non-licensed XP

2) AVG will not run without a licenced windows OS

3) I have run another virus software (I forget the name)...found a shitload of stuff.

4) I am 100% positive there is still a bunch of shit on her computer

5) I do not want to waste more of my time on this POS, so I want to say fuck it.....nothing bad can happen to you....but I don't want to say that and her identity get taken from her...then I will be without intercourse for the next 15 years.

no one has really explained any dangers so I'm leaning "fuck it"

X-Files · Mar 7, 2009

shdw01 said:
no one has really explained any dangers so I'm leaning "fuck it"

A hacker hacks her infected PC and maxes out all her accounts & CCs?
On his next trip to his Swiss bank he takes out enough for a nice
holiday with many hookers.

Sammy439 · Mar 7, 2009

She will get all of her bank accounts cleaned out if she uses online banking on that computer shdw01.

Tell her to get a new computer or start mailing in checks.

shdw01 · Mar 7, 2009

X-Files said:
A hacker hacks her infected PC and maxes out all her accounts & CCs?
On his next trip to his Swiss bank he takes out enough for a nice
holiday with many hookers.

I guess my point is how is this possible.....i cannot log onto my CCs and make purchases from there....i have to actually use my CC on a vendor's site.....same with my banking...i can review transactions and transfer money but I cannot transfer to a bank account outside of my bank or write checks from my online login....

are hackers that good?

Sammy439 · Mar 7, 2009

She is not liable but for $50 of CC theft. Its her checking accounts and debit cards she has to worry about.

All the hacker would have to do is get in to her checking account and once he accesses that, he simply makes a payment to a business (he owns or has access to the money).

PokerBookie · Mar 7, 2009

check Cnet for spybot Search and destroy it is one of the best free programs that I have used. The most important thing it scans for is keyloggers that can take passwords from your computer.