(26 July 2004 – Australia) Bendigo Bank has moved to protect its e-banking customers from falling victim to viruses, hackers and hoaxers by offering its customers the chance to buy an “authentication key” security token.The bank will let customers buy the token, which resembles a remote car locking device with a digital number display, at cost price, $16.50, and also cover delivery expenses. Once a customer has purchased a token, they will be unable to bank online without the authentification key.
Customers will initially be able to choose whether to purchase a security token but the bank will make them compulsory for all e-banking customers within 12 months.
Bendigo Bank spokesman Owen Davies said the bank’s security system had never been breached but that customers were vulnerable to viruses and fraudulent emails that tried to trick them into providing their banking details.
“While we continue to stress the importance of our customers installing a firewall and latest anti-virus protection on their PCs, and continuing to protect their Access ID and PIN, they will have the peace of mind of knowing they hold in their hand another level of protection,” he said.