2008.01.18
MySpy Protects Against Silent Banker Trojan

A new threat to online bankers has been identified, and MySpy is one of the few ways consumers can protect themselves. The so-called “Silent Banker” virus hooks into Internet Explorer and Firefox web browsers, intercepting and diverting communications that would normally be shielded by the bank’s secure SSL connection. Silent Banker hooks into browser’s extension mechanisms, and causes transactions the user is making at their online banking site to be diverted to third party bank accounts. Read more...

Because MySpy does not use a browser to access online banking, it is not susceptible to this type of threat. MySpy connects directly to the banking institution’s secure server, checking for transactions and delivering receipts to the owner of the bank account or credit card. If a customer had been infected by the Silent Banker virus, and the virus had caused any diversion of funds during the user’s online banking session, MySpy would send a receipt to the account holder, immediately alerting them to the fact that fraud had occurred.

According to Gillian Shaw of the Vancouver Sun, Symantec’s virus protection software can identify and quarantine the virus, if contracted, and stop it from being installed in the first place (see Jan 17th cover story at www.canada.com/vancouversun/news). The makers of MySpy recommend that all computer users maintain virus protection and a hardware firewall, and be careful to only install software from trusted sites on the Internet. MySpy further recommends that people install MySpy on their home computer to keep a constant vigil on their bank account and credit card usage. If MySpy sends you a receipt for transaction you did not initiate, you should immediately contact your financial institution and your local police.

BC Crime Prevention Association’s Jeff Burton says one way to protect yourself is “checking your balances way more frequently than perhaps you do now” (see Jan 18th cover story at www.canada.com/vancouversun/news). Checking your balances is a process that MySpy automatically performs for the user up to 1440 times per day. MySpy is currently available from www.my-spy.com for $14.99/month or $150.00/year.

Further information about the Silent Banker trojan is available on Symantec's web site at
http://www.symantec.com/enterprise/security_response/ weblog/2008/01/banking_in_silence.html

About Virtual Perception Systems Inc.

Virtual Perception Systems Inc. develops digital protection solutions. Established in January 2005, Virtual Perception Systems Inc. launched MySpy in February 2006. Currently, MySpy is in use by users around the world.

For more information please contact:
Marilyn Schaffer | T 416-260-1641 | M 416-400-5629