Today I experienced my first time being victim to an online banking security scam where someone gained access and withdrew funds from my account.

It turns out that the scam happened about a month ago where a hacker managed to access my computer remotely and change my bookmarked favourite for HSBC online banking.  The next time I clicked onto the link I was in fact directed to a bogus site which looked identical in every way.  Having entered all the login data the hacker wanted, they changed the bookmark back to the original link a couple of days later and I was none the wiser - until today!

Having got past the embarrassmentstage of this actually happening to me - I, like many others, always think it'll happen to someone else - it quickly turns into anger that you didn't notice something had changed and take for granted that your various virus protection software etc will stop this.

However, what we must always remember that as the technology for internet security is always advancing so is the technology that hackers deploy to overcome this security technology.

Having this happening, it does make me reevaulate our own security processes with our software and although not as vital as online banking it does contain sensitive information.

Although I am very confident that our security is tight, we do on a regular basis review what security measures are in place and whether they can be upgraded - this is something that will be happening shortly. 

However, there are certain security measures you should take when using the internet to access services such as online banking or other services:

1. Education - Educate yourself about the various types of scams on the internet.
2. Use a firewall - Firewalls monitor traffic between your computer and the internet and are your first and best defence.
3. Software - always have anti-virus software and keep it up to date.
4. Click with caution - Be very careful about clicking on links from unknown email senders as links could divert to a phony website or download viruses onto your computer.
5. Remember - Banks or other financial service providers will never ask you to divulge your login information via email.
6. Sure wireless networks - It's amazing how many of us still do not secure there wireless network leaving it open wide for unauthorised access.
7. Strong Password - While short, simple passwords are much easier to remember they are also easier for hackers to crack.  Use strong passwords with numbers and other symbols.
8. Common sense - Use common sense at all times on the internet.