Major Hong Kong banks to roll out additional anti-malware measures, block unauthorised access to banking apps, HKAB says
- Lenders will roll out the additional security measures tailored to their customer base and systems from late February onwards, banking body says
- New security measure could affect customers’ experience while performing banking transactions
The body, which represents all 160 banks in the city, also pledged to ensure personal data privacy as it steps up the mitigation of fraud risks.
“Major retail banks will roll out additional anti-malware security measures tailored to their own customer base and systems from late February onwards, based on individual financial institutions’ implementation timetable,” HKAB said in a statement. “This proactive approach also draws upon insights from experiences of combating fraudulent activities in overseas markets.”
The new anti-malware security measures could block access to banking apps when malware or suspicious apps are detected on customers’ devices, the statement said, adding that the action would not involve the surveillance of customers’ mobile devices. Moreover, no personal data will be collected or stored.
The additional measures come amid heightened concerns about unauthorised access to banking apps. Typically, hackers implant malware disguised as a legitimate programme through loopholes to access banking data and customer information.
HKAB admitted that the new security measure could affect customers’ experience while performing banking transactions.
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“Banks are committed to finding the right balance between mitigating fraud risks and providing a smooth digital banking experience,” it said. “Banks will also review the effectiveness of their current fraud monitoring and customer authentication controls across different channels.”
HKAB reiterated that members of the public should stay highly vigilant under all circumstances, and that they should not download apps from unofficial sources.
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“The HKMA welcomes banks to adopt additional security measures to prevent malicious programmes and to further improve customer protection,” it said in the statement. “Banks are required to keep strengthening their security measures to guard against the latest malicious programmes.”
The authority added that the instances of fraud in Hong Kong had stayed at “an ultralow” level, without giving an exact figure.
Last week, China’s top intelligence agency issued a renewed warning about foreign cyber espionage, saying data breaches endangered the country’s information and network security.
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The Ministry of State Security said that in recent years, overseas cyber spies had been attacking critical departments and companies in China, and establishing channels to consistently acquire sensitive data.
Foreign hackers usually manage to pilfer data from key Chinese units because they are able to take advantage of a lack of security precautions and negligence, the ministry added.
