Sometime ago, Canara Bank has introduced a desktop application to make its NetBanking[0] *look* more secure ( earlier they only allowed password, with no special characters). It is mandatory to use NetBanking through this app or you can't use it. The main issue is the installer of this app is only available for MS Windows and Mac OSes.. As can be seen in the image in link[1]
So as a GNU/Linux user, I felt ignored, as to why and how they can do this to us, and we must raise our voice, to make them know we exist, as these kinds of things are done often by many other Gov. deptts. ( when they Only IE) I gave the concerns below to the Senior Branch Manager as well as mailed (copy of letter below) to their concerned deptt. While the former replied with "that the issues are too technical and you are the only one having this issue", so it would be better to talk to the CanSecure Team directly, which didn't even reply till date. I tried to to let them know the issues and solution I thought can work, with the help of the letter below. I am writing this to this list to discuss how to tackle such issues, so that *we are heard*, and not *ignored* by these organizations. Is there a policy on usage of FOSS in PSUs? -------- Beginning of Letter -------- Subject: Grievance related to CanSecure Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:54:11 +0530 From: Parin Sharma Reply-To: .... To: [email protected] Ref. A/c no. .................. I contacted the CanSecure customer care to allow me to use NetBanking without CanSecure for my NetBanking A/c but your executive told that CanSecure is mandatory for NetBanking. So I am unable to use my NetBanking a/c because it requires CanSecure which I am not able to use because for the following reasons: * The installer is only available for Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems which are both proprietary and it would roughly cost me at least Rs. 5000 - Rs. 10000 to buy a legitimate copy of these OSes, which is certainly not the way it should be, since NetBanking is very basic service, and should be made easily accessible. * I am using a better and open operating system known as GNU/Linux[1] which is used by a lot of people, as it is freely available, and more secure than the other two proprietary OSes, which is a must because bad Operating Systems like Windows or Mac can't be trusted with such confidential data, as they also contain malicious features such as hidden spyware or malware. see the link[2] to know why Microsoft Windows is not secure and link [3] to know about MacOS's malicious features. * Moreover the application CanSecure is NOT Open source, which is another reason that I can't trust it with such confidential data, used exchanged in the case of NetBanking Application. Solutions: --------- *Either Allow make it optional, so that I can use NetBanking without CanSecure OR * Make the CanSecure Application Open Source[4], so that one can check or get the code checked for any malicious features, in that application. AND * Make an installer available for GNU/Linux as well so that other customers like me, can also use the NetBanking service in a secure and better environment. OR ELSE I HAVE TO CLOSE MY ACCOUNT WITH YOU I hope you will see to it that my concerns are given a thought or at` least I expect a reply at the earliest. [1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux#Desktop [2]http://en.windows7sins.org/security/ [3]http://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/mac-osx-mistakes-and-malfeatures [4]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source -----------------------End of Letter-------------------------- PS: Well, I will be soon closing my A/c with this bank, just as a way to protest against this. ( May be *1* customer less, doesn't affect them much, but then if more people agree to such concerns and opt out then they will have to listen to us) [0]https://netbanking.canarabank.in/netbanking/RetailLogin.jsp [1]https://www.joindiaspora.com/posts/2570343 -- Parin Sharma https://joindiaspora.com/u/frdmaniac _______________________________________________ network mailing list [email protected] http://lists.fosscom.in/listinfo.cgi/network-fosscom.in
