Dangers of Online Banking

I read an article recently that claimed that most people do not realize that they are not protected from unauthorized withdrawals from accounts where they have enabled online banking.

Think a fraudulent withdrawal of funds to your commercial or business banking account is limited to $50, like a fraudulent credit card transaction? Think you are protected by FDIC insurance? Think again. FDIC insurance does not protect your bank account from fraudulent withdrawals. You have no protection other than attempting to obtain the funds from the criminals that withdrew the funds. You will lose it all and have no recourse.

Because there is no protection for online banking fraud, business bank accounts have become a favorite target. Protecting yourself and your business isn’t an easy task.

• Don’t use your phone for banking
• Don’t use any mobile device for banking
• Never do banking over WIFI
• Never click on a link in a banking related email
• Use only a dedicated computer for banking. That is a computer that is used for no other purpose.

I say it is no easy task because we all want banking to be simple and banks keep making it simpler. But because they are not initiating the transaction, the responsibility rests entirely with you to make sure that all initiated transactions over online banking are legitimate not the banks. 

Windows 8 is here

We’re seeing signs that Windows 8 is coming in for a landing. My guess and this is only a guess is that we’ll see it available for purchase in 30-90 days.

Here are the signs:

• From this point forward every new computer is going to come with a coupon for a $14.99 upgrade to Windows 8.
• Microsoft announced Surface, a Windows 8 slate
• Microsoft announced Win8 Phone
• Windows 8 has moved to Release Candidate status

Here’s what you need to know:

• The specifications for Windows 8 are the same as Windows 7
• Windows 8 is touch/swipe enabled
• The new OS will be the same on phone/slate and PC
• The Metro interface is like nothing you’ve experienced before. There will be learning curve as severe as moving from DOS to Windows.
• I think that you’ll really like it

Because the user interface difference is dramatic, education is going to be really important. We are going to plan to hold a couple of Windows 8 orientation classes. In the coming months we will put together enough hardware to make these hands-on classes designed to put you as ease using the new interface.

 

p.s. I’m headed to Redmond to help work on developing a certification exam for IT professionals on Windows 8.