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Company News
Avira and KarstadtQuelle Bank cooperate to increase security in online banking
Tue, 31 March 2009
Joint initiative seeks to provide information to end users and promote secure online transactions
Tettnang, 31 March 2009 – Phishing, Pharming, Spyware – there are untold dangers lurking on the internet. In a recent Avira poll, 43 percent of people using online banking expressed serious security concerns, due in part to the numerous scandals about data over the last twelve months. According to data from the “Verein Deutsches Sicherheitsnetz e.V." (German Association for Data Security and Data Protection), two thirds of all privately used PCs are in serious danger of being compromised by criminals. Virus’s are not the only threat lurking on the World Wide Web, internet attacks on confidential bank data are also escalating. If consumers become victims of phishing attacks, they don’t necessarily have the law on their side. If they do not exercise due care and have not installed an anti-virus program, the odds are against them in a court of law.
The joint campaign of Avira and KarstadtQuelle Bank aims to address this problem. End users’ should be made aware that they have to secure their data to protect their money . “We are working hard to clarify the security risks of online banking to our customers, and we use our regular newsletters and the security pages of our website to point out the dangers of online banking. Avira is the perfect partner for us in this endeavor", explains Jörn Eickholt, Vice President at KarstadtQuelle Bank. “The fact that the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) also recommends Avira’s security solutions also convinced us of this. As the only German virus protection provider, both private users and businesses can count on prompt German-language support services.”
The KarstadtQuelle Bank has comprehensive measures in place to secure data transferred during online banking and while being processed by the bank. These measures ensure, for example, that confidential data cannot be viewed or amended without authorization when sent over the internet. “Of course we have no influence on the systems used by our customers for online banking and it’s therefore even more important for us to communicate the security risks and recommend proven security software, such as the solutions provided by Avira”, declares Eickholt.
“Not all users of online banking are IT security experts, and it is therefore important that bank customers understand the dangers”, says Rainer Witzgall, Executive Vice President at Avira. “Avira recently launched the secure online banking initiative. Together with banks and partners like the KarstadtQuelle Bank, our aim is to help private users to carry out money transfers securely and without risk."
The Mailguard and Webguard features in Avira solutions such as Avira AntiVir Premium or the Avira Premium Security Suite, provide users with protection against all kinds of phishing attempts. Mailguard highlights these emails as phishing emails and Webguard blocks access to the phishing web pages. Avira's portfolio also includes security solutions for businesses using online banking for everyday transactions. For more information, go to www.avira.com.
About KarstadtQuelle Bank
KarstadtQuelle Bank AG, Neu-Isenberg is a commercial, customer-oriented financial services institute, founded in 1990. It is a company of the commercial and tourism group, Arcandor AG. The bank’s core competences include the issuing of co-branded credit cards and the provision of consumer credit.
About Avira
Avira is a leading global provider of self-developed security solutions for professional and private use. With over twenty years of experience, the company is one of the pioneers in this field.
The security expert maintains several offices in Germany as well as partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. At its headquarters in Tettnang on the shores of Lake Constance, Avira is one of the largest employers in the region, employing over 180 staff. Around 250 persons are employed across the world, whose dedication is always being rewarded. Avira AntiVir Personal represents a significant contribution towards security and is used a million times by private users.
The domestic and international clientele is formed by well known companies listed on the stock exchange, educational establishments and government authorities. Apart from protecting the virtual environment, Avira promotes the Auerbach Foundation for greater protection and security in the real world. The Auerbach Foundation supports charitable and social projects, as well as art, culture and science.
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