Windows for Online Banking?

[buzz]

How many are using spyware-riddled Microsoft Windows-based computers for online banking?

Do you take active measures to combat possible intrusions?

[Broken Arrow]

If this were a tech site, you'd probably get panned for being a troll.

To be perfectly fair, Windows is "safe enough". There are lots of vulnerabilities along the entire networking process (including "wetware" or users), not just the operating system itself. A competent risk assessment should span the entire OSI model.

Having said that, arguments against Windows for their lack of security is not without merit. It's a large target, and except for Vista, security appears to be a design afterthought.

For typical users, the best thing you can do is to keep your OS and your security suite (anti-virus, software firewall, and anti-spyware) updated at all times. Also, don't go to any websites, download any files, or click on anything that seems suspicious.

If you want to jump off the deep end, use a clean box with a hardened OS... possibly CD-only... and have at it. Truth is, it doesn't take much for secure computing. It's just a question of how much time, effort, and usability you're willing to compromise for it.

I also admit that I haven't touched Windows since 1998... except at work, where I have no choice but to use Windows.

[ren]

Mac user!

I will admit to sometimes checking my bank accounts and credit card on my work computer (IE on Windows), but we handle sensitive data and our tech people have those computers locked down really well.

[poundwise]

Windows, as an out-of-the-box O/S, deserves its bad rap for security, however, it really doesn't take much effort to make it secure. A solid firewall mainly. Anti-virus and anti-spyware are helpful too of course. I do not use IE as my main browser mainly for security concerns, however, once you have established a secure connection, there is really very little that can go wrong, provided that you are connected to the correct site (not the fault of the O/S or browser if you are not) and that you aren't really hacked already (such as someone having placed a keylogger on your machine.)

One of the things the OP and others don't get is that Mac and Linux, despite their hype, also have security problems all their own (link, link, and link) and while there is generally much less concern over these problems there is also much less effort put into combating them.

The bottom-line for security, across all platforms, is that a system is only as secure as the user makes it. A high percentage of security issues are caused by user carelessness (installing software from unknown source, using file-sharing software or hacked software, not updating virus software or knowing how to properly use the firewall, etc.) Ultimately, a Windows system can be secured and protected quite well.

The main way security is breached is low-tech. Sometimes people are tricked into installing spyware-laden software on their systems. Phishing/spoofing schemes are also growing problem and have nothing to do with O/S but with user care. Again, it is the user who determines if he or she falls victim to these problems.

[poundwise]

Windows, as an out-of-the-box O/S, deserves its bad rap for security, however, it really doesn't take much effort to make it secure. A solid firewall mainly. Anti-virus and anti-spyware are helpful too of course. I do not use IE as my main browser mainly for security concerns, however, once you have established a secure connection, there is really very little that can go wrong, provided that you are connected to the correct site (not the fault of the O/S or browser if you are not) and that you aren't really hacked already (such as someone having placed a keylogger on your machine.)

One of the things the OP and others don't get is that Mac and Linux, despite their hype, also have security problems all their own (link, link, link, and link) and while there is generally much less concern over these problems there is also much less effort put into combating them.

The bottom-line for security, across all platforms, is that a system is only as secure as the user makes it. A high percentage of security issues are caused by user carelessness (installing software from unknown source, using file-sharing software or hacked software, not updating, knowing how to properly use the firewall, etc.) Ultimately, a Windows system can be secured and protected quite well.

The main way security is breached is low-tech. Sometimes people are tricked into installing spyware-laden software on their systems. Phishing/spoofing schemes are also growing problem and have nothing to do with O/S but with user care.

Again, it is largely the user who determines if he or she falls victim to these problems.

[poundwise]

Windows, as an out-of-the-box O/S, deserves its bad rap for security, however, it really doesn't take much effort to make it secure. A solid firewall mainly. Anti-virus and anti-spyware are helpful too of course. I do not use IE as my main browser mainly for security concerns, however, once you have established a secure connection, there is really very little that can go wrong, provided that you are connected to the correct site (not the fault of the O/S or browser if you are not) and that you aren't really hacked already (such as someone having placed a keylogger on your machine.)

One of the things the OP and others don't get is that Mac and Linux, despite their hype, also have security problems all their own (link, link, link, and link) and while there is generally much less concern over these problems there is also much less effort put into combating them.

The bottom-line for security, across all platforms, is that a system is only as secure as the user makes it. A high percentage of security issues are caused by user carelessness (installing software from unknown source, using file-sharing software or hacked software, not updating, knowing how to properly use the firewall, etc.) The main way security is breached is low-tech. Sometimes people are tricked into installing spyware-laden software on their systems. Phishing/spoofing schemes are also growing problem and have nothing to do with O/S but with user care.

Ultimately, a Windows system can be secured and protected quite well and, as such, is fine for online banking and other sensitive applications.

[poundwise]

Windows, as an out-of-the-box O/S, deserves its bad rap for security, however, it really doesn't take much effort to make it secure. A solid firewall mainly. Anti-virus and anti-spyware are helpful too of course. I do not use IE as my main browser mainly for security concerns, however, once you have established a secure connection, there is really very little that can go wrong, provided that you are connected to the correct site (not the fault of the O/S or browser if you are not) and that you aren't really hacked already (such as someone having placed a keylogger on your machine.)

One of the things the OP and others don't get is that Mac and Linux, despite their hype, also have security problems all their own (link, link, link, and link) and while there is generally much less concern over these problems there is also much less effort put into combating them.

The bottom-line for security, across all platforms, is that a system is only as secure as the user makes it. A high percentage of security issues are caused by user carelessness (installing software from unknown source, using file-sharing software or hacked software, not updating, knowing how to properly use the firewall, etc.) The main way security is breached is low-tech. Sometimes people are tricked into installing spyware-laden software on their systems. Phishing/spoofing schemes are also growing problem and have nothing to do with O/S but with user care.

Ultimately, a Windows system can be secured and protected quite well and, as such, is fine for online banking and other sensitive applications.

[sweeps]

I happily use my spyware-riddled Microsoft Windows-based computer for online banking.

[sarah]

Since we seem to be talking about os systems, what about vista? Is it worth updating to or is it to soon to tell? How backward compatible is it. In order to run office on vista will it be necessary to update to the new office suite. I admit to being computer illiterate.

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by sarah

Since we seem to be talking about os systems, what about vista? Is it worth updating to or is it to soon to tell? How backward compatible is it. In order to run office on vista will it be necessary to update to the new office suite. I admit to being computer illiterate.

I am typically not someone who upgrades right away. I'd rather let others 'test' it out and wait for the updates/patches. However, in this case, I may avoid Vista all together because I have read many articles that speak to a multiplicity of problems and disappointments with the O/S. I'll take a wait-and-see approach for now but it may turn into a wait-and-wait.

[sweeps]

I agree on waiting for some of the fallout from Vista before upgrading. But I do recommend that you upgrade to IE 7 if you're still using IE 6. There are numerous improvements and security enhancements in that browser.

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

I agree on waiting for some of the fallout from Vista before upgrading. But I do recommend that you upgrade to IE 7 if you're still using IE 6. There are numerous improvements and security enhancements in that browser.

True. I have IE 7 myself, though I hardly use it as I much prefer Firefox. A word of caution, some sites are not caught up with the release of IE 7 yet and so, even though you have a newer version of IE, they will still give an error and say, "You must use IE (insert version here) or newer" (or words to that effect) and direct you to upgrade. This is already a dwindling problem but I thought I'd mention it.


For Firefox click here

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

I agree on waiting for some of the fallout from Vista before upgrading. But I do recommend that you upgrade to IE 7 if you're still using IE 6. There are numerous improvements and security enhancements in that browser.

True. I have IE 7 myself, though I hardly use it as I much prefer Firefox. A word of caution, some sites are not caught up with the release of IE 7 yet and so, even though you have a newer version of IE, they will still give an error and say, "You must use IE (insert version here) or newer" (or words to that effect) and direct you to upgrade. This is already a dwindling problem but I thought I'd mention it.