[LINK] Westpac snubs global anti-phishing efforts as attacks on Aussie banks continue

[Stewart Carter]

Linkers,

Westpac has apparently had a dummy spit over the US based Anti-Phishing 
Working Group reporting it as the most commonly
targetted for phishing attacks of the Australian banks.

An AFR report this morning says that the bank is not sympathetic to any 
suggestion that a local chapter of the the APWG
could be a good thing. The Australian Bankers Association appears to agree 
and the article makes it appear that
AusCert too, appears indisposed to anyone invading its turf.

Pity really, because in this past month all the four big local banks, and 
noiw smaller banks such as the Bank of Queensland
have been the target of phishing attacks.
attacks.

Its very clear that the threat of phishing is growing rapidly and also very 
clear that banks like Westpac are ducking their responsibilities
by being so childish as to shoot the messenger.

Its not as if the APWG  said that Westpac has the most insecure Internet 
banking service. Just that reported attacks at that point put Wetspac at 
the top of the list of
reported attacks on Aussie banks. Maybe the APWG's reporting methods could 
be better, and more accurate. But so what, their efforts are better than 
nothing.

And what is Westpac doing to combat the problem?

Surely we want our banking industry to co-operate in this.  I'd be keen to 
hear from any linkers else who has experienced phishing attacks on the 
Aussie banks.
In recent weeks I've had phishing emails purporting to come from the ANZ, 
the Bank of Queensland and the Commonw4ealth.

Anyone else getting them?

Stewart Carter
mail at ecommercereport.com.au