Is it safe to access bank details over wireless?

muffinhead

I'm just wondering, is it safe to access bank details and the like through a wireless internet connection? I'm asking because I saw an episode of 'The Real Hustle' where the team some how hacked this guys connection and were able to see every site he was visiting.

Sput2001

It'll depend to a large extent on what sort of security you have on your wireless connection...

ormus

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130330/article.html

a basic guide to wireless network security.

weegie.geek

Any wireless connection can be hacked, but I wouldn't be too bothered about it. Use WPA encryption.

Stuff like bank details are also sent using SSL encryption between you and the bank's servers, so that's another layer of protection.

clarkeyi

People do get paranoid over security which is fair enough but with security you have to have a balance on security and usability. If you do use WPA and have a firewall and antivirus then that is all you can do apart from installing a proxy server or Intusion prevention systems, etc but obviously we are looking into company protection then and talking £1000's. I reccommend get the basics right and only visit trusted sites with SSL encyprion enabled for banking/purchases, etc...

hope this helps

BillScarab

Remember Wifi has a limited range so in order to hack your wireless connection the hacker would have to be in your street. How likely do you think it is that one of your neighbours will try? The only other option is for soemone to be sat in a car outside your house, again how likely is it a hacker will pick your street and your connection?

I send bank details over wireless and have never had a problem. Just secure it and you should be fine.

Reluctant_spender

Not that likely - http://www.techworld.com/mobility/news/index.cfm?newsid=9888

ManAtHome

I use WiFi a lot when abroad - only use Nationwide account which I feed from the main (other bank) account when needed, so never have heaps with N/W (normally less than £50 between holidays). Good news is that the account hasn't been compromised, but possibly never had enough in to be worth the effort. Most likely area of fraud is clicking on one of the dodgy "confirm your details" emails (which a bank would NEVER send, any significant changes will be communicated by letter).

slicksurf

To be honest I agree with whats been said so far. So long as the bank uses SSL (the address begins with https://, and the padlock appears in ie, and the certificate is valid where Ie7 shows a green address bar) then it doesn't matter if your wireless in encrypted (note the internet itself isn't encrypted). The SSL will provide the safe encryption needed for banking whether wired or wireless.
Its always a good idea to encrypt your wireless connection with the best available option in your hardware though, as someone could try and install a peice of software that can monitor whats being typed (keyloggers) from within your network.
WPA2 is the best from what I know, but WPA is good too. WEP is useless and there are tools online that allow linux users to crack the WEP encyption in a very short time.
For me, so long as my connection to the bank is using SSL, and I have a firewall (preventing things like keyloggers), and its my own machine, then I am happy to bank online.

kingadam

Hi,

This is correct that if he used to login unsecured website and his email and password hacked.

Tips to Shop Online and Banking Website
1. Check the seller site is trusted or not
2. Check Seller's real identity and products
3. And do not forget to check before you enter Credit Card:
Shopping Cart should work on HTTPS://
4. Before loging to Bank Site you should check that site is SSL Secured
This means shopping cart should be secured with SSL Certificate.
To know more about SSL Certificate please check here RapidSSLOnline.com.


Thanks,

Master Adam

[Deleted User]

Although I mostly agree with the tips above I rarely follow some.

My setup?

Laptop connected to a Netgear router with WPA2-PSK [AES] encrpytion (create a password here - the more characters the better)
Firefox with Adblock Plus add-on
Avira anti-virus
Windows SP3 firewall

I probably should check for padlock symbols, https etc but I don't. On the flip side I'm a savy user and in general careful on what I do e.g. is Natwest really going to ask to confirm my login details? Do I really want to click through to "Natwests" homepage from another link? Is it really worth saving £20 shopping at some dodge e-bye-er website?