First Direct using Trusteer Rapport software

td_007

My experience so far in this thread....

Staib

/sparciaM

This would be entirely unenforceable! And I suspect that it arose from a misunderstanding by the individual who advised this...

There are all sorts of good reasons why some customers (probably a minority, but still a significant minority) won't be able (or willing) to use this Rapport software.

They could be using:

• One of the many flavours of Linux
• Any other incompatible browser/os combination
• An iPhone or similar web enabled device
• A work LAN where downloads are blocked

Or they might be seasoned IT experts with strong (dogmatic?) views on what they ever permit on their PCs...

By and large the above customers are probably amongst the safest online - so why block them? Makes no real business sense...

Rapport is aimed at the vast majority of customers, most of whom are not IT experts, and some of whom still think a 'forum' is in Rome...

Cheers,
Nick

/stella2009 - sorry to hear that you experienced a slow down. This is very unusual as Rapport is designed to work alongside existing security software, but this could result from a rare conflict with other software. The technical support team at Trusteer are pretty good, if you ever want to try again...:)

david78

I noticed that some security features (under security policy) are only enabled for the partner websites (RBS, HSBC etc). Should I change the defaults to enable these features for other websites I add myself (e.g. Nationwide)?

Staib

/ David78

My understanding is that as a user you can add other websites and this will then add welcome anti-phishing capabilities, but it's the many layered anti-malware capabilities that are most interesting - and these only work fully for those companies that have signed up with this company...

But, hey, try it - I'm sure you won't break it

Cheers,
Nick

david78

boxfresh wrote: »

The reason First Direct would prefer you to download Rapport from them is because their version will already have been optimised for FD customers. Meaning your on-line banking with them will be protected from the moment you install Rapport. If you down load from the Trusteer website instead you still have to manually activate the protection for FD yourself. It’s also likely that FD will have got it setup to automatically protect any website that you start to enter a FD card number into – even if you forget to protect the site yourself first.

I don't think this is quite true. I downloaded my copy of Rapport from NatWest (I re-installed last week). When I visit HSBC or First Direct they show up as Protected sites (as do the other "partner" sites).

So, you can get it from any bank.

I don't know how the card number thing works. I can put my NatWest credit card number into Amazon for example (which is not protected by Rapport) and it does not complain. Should try taking copying the screen next time to see if its protected ... ?

James_N

stella2009 wrote: »

Is this plug-in really that bad??

It shouldn't take up too much resource and if working properly should only be active for the duration of the session with IB.

The anwser to your questions and points are:

"Is this plug-in really that bad??" - Perhaps
"It shouldn't take up too much resource" - operative word SHOULDN'T
"and if working properly" - - operative word IF
"should only be active for the duration of the session with IB" - - operative word SHOULD

I have seen too many carelessly programmed and programs written only for mainstream, "typical" users to be very wary of offerings like this. Even if it's fine for 90% of users, you can be sure it may break someone's system. And then, that person could have terrible trouble sorting it out.

James_N

Staib wrote: »

/sparciaM

Or they might be seasoned IT experts with strong (dogmatic?) views on what they ever permit on their PCs.../

Such views, even dogmatic ones, are usually born through bitter experience.

Staib

James_N wrote: »

Such views, even dogmatic ones, are usually born through bitter experience...

I'll give you that one...
Cheers,
Nick

James_N

boxfresh wrote: »

Hi,

I run Rapport on both PC and Mac and highly recommend it. Install was easy and there’s no fuss when it’s running. I protect all my sessions with websites where I enter personal info – banking, facebook, shopping etc.

Just to be clear, Rapport isn’t antivirus software. It doesn’t try to find or remove viruses or trojans. It stops malware like that from recording sensitive information that you are entering when you are on line. Which would then be used to compromise your account.

I don’t think anyone can guarantee that if you have it on your machine you will never ever have an issue with some of your data being captured but it significantly reduces the chances. The banks pay for this software - the only reason they are offering it to you for free is because they know it works and it will save them/you money in the long run.

I’ve seen another thread (but can’t find it now) where someone adamantly insists that no one should install Rapport because “it gives you a false sense of security” and that the way to avoid problems is to not open attachments from people you don’t know or go to dodgy websites. I have to say I don’t agree with this at all. By having Rapport you improve your chances that you won’t become a victim of malware. It’s a good idea not to visit dodgy websites or open attachments you aren’t sure of but many ‘respectable’ websites (just like this one) fall victim to infection from viruses every day. These days malware can get installed on your machine just by visiting an infected page, without you knowing – the hackers call it a ‘drive-by download’. Antivirus isn’t the stand alone solution that a lot of people think it is either – most antivirus software, even the really expensive stuff, can only spot about 30% of viruses when they are first released into the wild.

So just because you are running Norton or whatever and only visit ‘safe’ sites it doesn’t mean your machine can’t get infected.

In summary – [I think] Rapport is a useful extra layer of protection that compliments the precautions you probably already take.

Some replies to comments I’ve read on this thread…

SpaciaM – The reason First Direct would prefer you to download Rapport from them is because their version will already have been optimised for FD customers. Meaning your on-line banking with them will be protected from the moment you install Rapport. If you down load from the Trusteer website instead you still have to manually activate the protection for FD yourself. It’s also likely that FD will have got it setup to automatically protect any website that you start to enter a FD card number into – even if you forget to protect the site yourself first.

Psychonaut – I doubt the manufacturer will ever release the source code, for two reasons: 1, it’s a commercial product and if they release the source code other companies would be able to copy it and sell their own version without having done the expensive research and development themselves… and 2, releasing the source code would be a gift to thieving hackers who want to find a way around it.

Hope this helps.

A just-joined one-poster.

Not an an unacknowledged spokesman for Rapport? Surely not.

G_M

A similar thread on the savings forum here.