An Alternative Approach to Online Banking

MidnightCowboy · 20. Jul 2011, 08:09 AM

These guys know a bit about PC security so this is something others might want to try out.

http://distrowatch.com/
http://www.spi.dod.mil/lipose.htm

The possibilities extend beyond online banking of course but this might be the main requirement for many.

J_L · 22. Jul 2011, 01:57 AM

I don't find the word bank in the first link. Do you mean using a LiveCD for online banking? That would make you safe from the OS, but doesn't usually affect connections or sites. There's also hardware loggers.

MidnightCowboy · 22. Jul 2011, 08:02 AM

"The live CD is a product produced by the United States of America's Department of Defence and is part of that organization's Software Protection Initiative".

This is what attracted me to it initially and I included the Distrowatch link because the description was more easy to take in than that on the homesite.

This is from the homesite:

"LPS differs from traditional operating systems in that it isn't continually patched. LPS is designed to run from read-only media and without any persistent storage. Any malware that might infect a computer can only run within that session. A user can improve security by rebooting between sessions, or when about to undertake a sensitive transaction. For example, boot LPS immediately before performing any online banking transactions. LPS should also be rebooted immediately after visiting any risky web sites, or when the user has reason to suspect malware might have been loaded. In any event, rebooting when idle is an effective strategy to ensure a clean computing session. LPS is updated on a regular basis (at least quarterly patch and maintenance releases). Update to the latest versions to have the latest protection".

AA78U · 23. Jul 2011, 02:16 AM

I thought the .mil site looked familiar, thanks for the link

MidnightCowboy · 23. Jul 2011, 08:03 AM

You're welcome. It seems some government departments do have their uses after all

MidnightCowboy · 23. Sep 2011, 07:47 AM

Recently updated. See the notice here:

http://distrowatch.com/

tec · 23. Sep 2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_L

There's also hardware loggers.

Do hardware loggers log virtual keyboard or mouse?

J_L · 24. Sep 2011, 02:07 AM

I don't think so, but not exactly sure.

20. Jul 2011, 08:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	An Alternative Approach to Online Banking These guys know a bit about PC security so this is something others might want to try out. http://distrowatch.com/ http://www.spi.dod.mil/lipose.htm The possibilities extend beyond online banking of course but this might be the main requirement for many. __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

22. Jul 2011, 08:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	"The live CD is a product produced by the United States of America's Department of Defence and is part of that organization's Software Protection Initiative". This is what attracted me to it initially and I included the Distrowatch link because the description was more easy to take in than that on the homesite. This is from the homesite: "LPS differs from traditional operating systems in that it isn't continually patched. LPS is designed to run from read-only media and without any persistent storage. Any malware that might infect a computer can only run within that session. A user can improve security by rebooting between sessions, or when about to undertake a sensitive transaction. For example, boot LPS immediately before performing any online banking transactions. LPS should also be rebooted immediately after visiting any risky web sites, or when the user has reason to suspect malware might have been loaded. In any event, rebooting when idle is an effective strategy to ensure a clean computing session. LPS is updated on a regular basis (at least quarterly patch and maintenance releases). Update to the latest versions to have the latest protection". __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

23. Jul 2011, 08:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	You're welcome. It seems some government departments do have their uses after all __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

23. Sep 2011, 07:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	Recently updated. See the notice here: http://distrowatch.com/ __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

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22. Jul 2011, 01:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
J_L Co-Author, Best Free Security List Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,475	I don't find the word bank in the first link. Do you mean using a LiveCD for online banking? That would make you safe from the OS, but doesn't usually affect connections or sites. There's also hardware loggers.

23. Jul 2011, 02:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
AA78U Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 6	I thought the .mil site looked familiar, thanks for the link

24. Sep 2011, 02:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
J_L Co-Author, Best Free Security List Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,475	I don't think so, but not exactly sure.