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User Safety
Banking Security Cyber Security India RBI User Safety

RBI Launches "bank.in" Domain to Combat Digital Banking Scam

 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made the "bank.in" domain exclusive to all authorised banking institutions in India in an effort to strengthen digital banking security and shield customers from online banking fraud. This effort aims to minimise the rising threat of digital banking fraud by establishing a secure and verified online presence for the banks across the nation.

Due to the surge in online banking transactions, fraudsters have taken advantage of vulnerabilities by impersonating actual banks via phishing attacks, phoney banking websites, and fraudulent email campaigns. The only registrar for this will be the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT).

It is expected that domain registration will get underway in April 2025. By implementing an exclusive bank.in domain strategy, the RBI lowers the risk of financial fraud by ensuring that users can quickly recognise and trust legitimate banking websites.

Importance of “bank.in” domain in banking security

The increased use of digital banking has transformed financial transactions in India, providing easy access to banking services. However, this digital transformation has resulted in an increase in cyber threats, with scammers creating fake banking portals to trick users into disclosing sensitive data such as login credentials, OTPs, and banking details. The RBI's special domain for banks called "bank.in" intends to: 

  • Enhance banking fraud prevention by eliminating fake sites that pose as authentic banking portals. 
  • Increase consumer trust and awareness by ensuring that all Indian banks use a single, verifiable domain structure.
  • Strengthen India's digital banking security by creating a centralised domain that is challenging for fraudsters to replicate.

The "bank.in" domain will be reserved solely for RBI-regulated banking institutions, guaranteeing that only reputable financial institutions can use this domain extension. Each bank's official website will be hosted under the bank.in domain, making it easy for consumers to check legitimacy. For example, a major bank like State Bank of India (SBI) may have an official URL such as sbi.bank.in, indicating that the website is trustworthy. 

To facilitate this transition, the RBI is working with financial institutions, cybersecurity professionals, and domain regulatory agencies to ensure a smooth transition to the new domain. Banks will be expected to phase out their current domains and redirect consumers to their new "bank.in" addresses, ensuring a smooth transition and avoiding confusion.
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TrickMo
Banking Security Banking Trojan C2 servers Cyberattack Data Breach device access malware Mobile Threats Security TrickMo

TrickMo Banking Trojan Unveils Advanced Threat Capabilities in Latest Variant

Malware Analyst at Zimperium, Aazim Yaswant, has released an in-depth report on the most recent TrickMo samples, highlighting worrisome new functionalities of this banking trojan. Initially reported by Cleafy in September, this new version of TrickMo employs various techniques to avoid detection and scrutiny, such as obfuscation and manipulating zip files. 

Yaswant’s team discovered 40 variants of TrickMo, consisting of 16 droppers and 22 active Command and Control (C2) servers, many of which remain hidden from the broader cybersecurity community.

Although TrickMo primarily focuses on stealing banking credentials, Yaswant's analysis has exposed more sophisticated abilities. "These features allow the malware to access virtually any data on the device," Yaswant stated. TrickMo is capable of intercepting OTPs, recording screens, remotely controlling the device, extracting data, and misusing accessibility services to gain permissions and perform actions without the user’s approval. Additionally, it can display misleading overlays designed to capture login credentials, enabling unauthorized financial transactions.

A particularly concerning discovery in Yaswant's findings is TrickMo’s ability to steal the device’s unlock pattern or PIN. This enables attackers to bypass security measures and access the device while it is locked. The malware achieves this by mimicking the legitimate unlock screen. “Once the user enters their unlock pattern or PIN, the page transmits the captured data, along with a unique device identifier,” Yaswant explained.

Zimperium’s researchers managed to gain entry to several C2 servers, identifying approximately 13,000 unique IP addresses linked to malware victims. The analysis revealed that TrickMo primarily targets regions such as Canada, the UAE, Turkey, and Germany. Yaswant’s investigation also uncovered millions of compromised records, with the stolen data including not only banking credentials but also access to corporate VPNs and internal websites, posing significant risks to organizations by potentially exposing them to larger-scale cyberattacks.
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Online Banking
2FA Banking Security Cyber Security CyberCriminal data security Mobile App Online Banking

Is Online Banking Truly Safe? Understanding the Safety Loopholes in Bank Websites

 

In today's increasingly digital landscape, ensuring the security of online banking platforms is paramount. With cyber threats evolving and becoming more sophisticated, financial institutions face the constant challenge of fortifying their systems against unauthorized access and data breaches. 

Recently, Which?, a respected consumer advocate, conducted an extensive investigation into the security measures implemented by major current account providers. This evaluation carried out with the assistance of independent computer security experts, aimed to scrutinize the efficacy of banks' online banking systems in safeguarding customer data and preventing fraudulent activities. 

The assessment, conducted over two months in January and February 2024, focused on examining the apps and websites of 13 prominent current account providers. While the evaluation did not encompass testing of back-end systems, it honed in on four critical areas essential for ensuring robust security protocols: security best practices, login processes, account management, and navigation & logout functionalities. 

Through rigorous testing, the investigation revealed significant variations among providers, with some demonstrating commendable security measures while others fell short of expectations. Among the findings, TSB and the Co-operative Bank emerged as the lowest-ranked institutions in both mobile app and online security. 

Notably, TSB's app exhibited a serious vulnerability, allowing sensitive data to be accessed by other applications on the device, raising concerns about data integrity and privacy. Similarly, the Co-operative Bank's failure to enforce two-factor authentication (2FA) on a test laptop highlighted potential weaknesses in their security infrastructure, necessitating urgent attention and remediation. 

Conversely, NatWest and Starling emerged as frontrunners in online banking security, earning an impressive score of 87%. Their robust security protocols and stringent authentication processes set them apart as leaders in safeguarding customer information. 

Meanwhile, HSBC and Barclays led the pack in mobile banking security, with HSBC notably eschewing SMS-based login verification, opting for more secure alternatives to protect user accounts. In addition to holding financial institutions accountable for maintaining rigorous security standards, consumers must also take proactive steps to protect their financial data when banking online. 

Which? recommends six essential tips for enhancing online security, including protecting mobile devices, using strong and unique passwords, and promptly reporting any suspicious activity. By adopting these best practices and remaining vigilant, consumers can mitigate the risks associated with online banking and thwart the efforts of cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities. 

In an era where digital transactions are ubiquitous, prioritizing security is imperative to safeguarding personal and financial information from unauthorized access and fraudulent activities.
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Privacy
Banking Security Digital Pound Financial Inclusion Personal Details Privacy

A Deep Dive Into How Digital Pound Can Menace Financial Stability

DIGITAL POUND THREATENS FINANCIAL STABILITY

The UK's expedition into releasing a digital pound has triggered a strong debate among policymakers and finance experts. The House of Commons Treasury Committee has shown concerns, cautioning that bringing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the UK could lead to major risks to personal privacy and financial stability.

While HM Treasury and Bank of England are conducting their investigations into a digital pound, experts are suggesting to be on alert, underscoring the potential threats and downfalls of such a step. This blog will provide a comprehensive guide to explain how digital pound can threaten financial stability.

Worries about data privacy and stability

One of the main issues around the digital pound is the consequences it can have on traditional banking systems. Experts are worried that during times of financial crisis, individuals might quickly transfer large amounts of money to digital pounds from conventional bank accounts. 

If that becomes the case, it can result in increased vulnerability to bank runs, triggering imbalances in the financial system. Besides these, there are major concerns about how authorities would use the personal data of digital pound users. The chances of government surveillance and abuse of financial transaction data have raised concerns over individual privacy rights. 

This worry is underscored by the push to make a universally accepted, risk-free electronic alternative to physical cash that would function through smartphone wallets, likely providing government authorities unlimited access to personal financial transactions. 

Balancing risk and innovation

Additionally, the transition to a digital currency might raise interest rates on bank loans, with estimates hinting at a possible rise of 0.8 percentage points or more if major bank deposits are transferred into digital pounds.

To minimize these threats, the committee advised considering a lower limit on individual holdings of digital pounds than the Bank of England's suggested €10,000-€20,000 ceiling, taking lessons from the European Central Bank's talk regarding a €3,000 limit per individual for a digital euro. 

Experts also emphasize the need for robust privacy measures to make sure that the government doesn't spy on digital pound users' privacy. Besides this, there's a rising concern that a step towards a digital currency could trigger financial exclusion by pacing the fall in cash use. 

The bringing in of a digital pound in the UK shows a complex balancing step between minimizing financial threats.

The concerned labeled out by the Treasury Committee highlights the need for a safer approach towards implementing a digital currency. 

As the UK keeps exploring this digital onset, the task at hand remains to make sure that any possible digital currency complements the present financial system while keeping the basic norms of financial inclusion and privacy.

The Bank of England and Treasury have recognized these threats and are expected to formally work on the committee's report's recommendations, highlighting the future measures in the digital pound's voyage.


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