Recognized as being among the most lethal and difficult pieces of malware ever to hit the market Zeus, if not contained, will empty the back accounts of innocent people who leave themselves susceptible to this powerful yet seemingly easy-to-operate piece of software. The Zeus Trojan horse, if it succeeds in a computer, will rapidly find its way to the most sensitive of personal information, such as online bank account details, passwords and credit card numbers, and will cause havoc with the information accessed.

News of the Zeus malware first came to the authority’s attentions in the UK a few weeks ago, through information that the malware’s operators were searching for victims through the social networking sites. The Zeus Trojan horse operates in such a fashion that if it invades a computer it will cause it to forward sensitive and personal data to servers which are under the control of the hackers. Zeus has reared its ugly head in a number of forms already, with the most damaging to date being a false Facebook page that encouraged users to download a tainted software update. Two young hackers who were behind that particular scam were arrested on the 3rd of November in Manchester, and are currently being held under the 1990 Computer Misuse Act and the 2006 Fraud Act pending charges, with details of the arrests only just being released.

Zeus is what is known as a banking Trojan. While it is a measure of the determination as well as the levels of sophistication that hackers are achieving to create fraud on a massive scale, this is one of the first times that an actual web page on a social networking site has been seen to be used to infiltrate the unsuspecting computer surfer’s hard disc.

Trojans are usually distributed as attachments in email messages, yet increasingly more as software downloads masquerading as legitimate programs. Zeus has been set up to utilize a variety of different methods to steal details, including logging key stokes as a user-entered password.

The total number of computers that have attacked at some time or another by a trojan horse is almost impossible to ascertain, but thought to run to several million. The truth is that it is almost impossible to detect the Zeus Trojan software, as it can change its identity during the time that it is in operation.

Zeus often changed in order to avoid detection by anti-virus software.

Zeus is apparently being sold and distributed among the hacker fraternity, and is in great demand due to its low cost, ease of use and sophistication. Hackers buy it in a tool kit form, which can be manipulated to form a unique variant. Once the Zeus hacker succeeds in accessing either a Facebook or MySpace password, they can use the invaded account as a springboard for sending out more attacks to their friends and family. It can spread like wildfire through the entire framework, and there is evidence that it has already succeeded in doing so on several occasions.

Tags: 1990 Computer Misuse Act, 2006 Fraud Act, Anti Virus, anti-virus software, Banking, banking Trojan, Malware, Mcafee, Phishing Scams, Trojan horse, Trojan Horses, Viruses, Zeus, Zeus malware, Zeus Trojan horse

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Alliance & Leicester have won the Business Moneyfacts Award for Best Overall Business Bank and Best Business Current Account provider, yet again.

Moneyfacts – who are they?

Moneyfacts is the leading independent financial information provider in the UK. Since 1988, we’ve been providing impartial information to financial services professionals which has helped thousands of customers get the best deal on their mortgages, savings accounts, credit cards, loans and other personal finance products.

Moneyfacts.co.uk Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Our FSA permissions allow us to introduce you to other regulated firms, but not to sell products direct or to give advice. The products we deal with which are regulated by FSA are investments, mortgages and insurance products. Our other products (personal loans, credit cards and domestic utilities) are not regulated by FSA.

What Moneyfacts Do

Every day, Moneyfacts’ dedicated team of researchers monitor thousands of personal finance products available in the UK. Whether it’s a launch of a new product, a change in its terms or conditions or a withdrawal, our team is on the front line and are in the best place to truly know what’s going on in the financial services world.

Our data is trusted throughout the financial industry. Every major bank and building society in the UK subscribes to our data service for accurate and comprehensive market analysis, and even the Bank of England uses our data too.

We also supply the majority of the national and regional press and many well known financial and consumer websites with Best Buy charts – and our experts are regularly called upon by the likes of the BBC and national press to provide professional comment and opinion.

Tags: Alliance and Leicester, Bank, Bank Accounts, Banking, Moneyfacts

BT customers can continue to benefit from the convenience of paying for and towards their BT telephone services at Post Office branches. The Post Office and BT have extended their long-standing relationship by a further three-year period, from September 2011 to the end of September 2014.

The agreement will enable BT customers to pay for their quarterly bills by cash, cheque or debit card at any of the UK’s 11,500 Post Office branches.

Also, customers can continue to save towards their quarterly bill by making regular payments using their BT payment card in Post Office branches.

John Petter, MD, Consumer, BT Retail said “BT customers have the widest of choice of payment options in the UK, which includes payment at the 11,500 Post Offices around the country where they can pay their bills or make payments towards their next bill via their BT payment card. We are delighted to continue our relationship with the Post Office and give our customers another convenient way of paying their bill. ”

Post Office marketing director Gary Hockey-Morley said: “BT customers enjoy the convenience of paying for or towards their bill at the same time as posting a parcel or buying their foreign currency at the Post Office. We are delighted to extend our long-standing and valued relationship with BT, which allows our mutual customers to continue paying at their local Post Office.”

In addition to paying bills, customers can access a wide range of other services at their local Post Office, such as banking and financial services including free cash access over the counter, travel services including travel insurance, passports and commission-free currency, and mail and postal services.

Tags: Banking, Banking and Insurance, BT, Insurance, Passport, The Post Office, Travel Insurance

The last two years have been tough times for business owners in the UK, and unfortunately not all of them have survived it. With the public drawing in the their belts at an unprecedented rate, and the banks, themselves under a period of restructure, have either been unwilling or unable to provide the levels of credit that they were able to before the slump began.

Businesses that are still around despite the difficult times deserve a round of applause. They have proved a very important point to themselves as well as to the UK business community in general. That they have a right to be there, and are set to reap the benefits as time invariably will get better. Difficult though it may be to believe, quite a number of new businesses have been established during probably the toughest period for the Great British economy since before the Second World War. These businesses are obviously headed by people with spirit, vision and tenacity who had recognized a niche for themselves or a gap in the market that they felt that they could fill, and have succeeded in doing so. And all this without the full support of a bank, who were possibly too tied up with their own problems.

Well the good news for business owners, large and small, is that the banks are coming back. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the UK government to create an atmosphere where banks would be freed of the burdens of their previous mistakes, they are now free to work hand in hand with the UK business community to further their growth. A growth that will get Britain back in business and save and create jobs.

Businesses need banks, and banks need business, not just a source of finance but also for objective advice and guidance on a variety of subjects.

If you run your own business and are looking for some banking information interest rates, credit and credit limits, bank charges, interest rates for your business account, you will find all you need and more on http://www.bank–accounts.co.uk/.

Through this excellent web site you can discover all the current deposit interest rates and other relevant information from the major UK banks among them Abbey National, Alliance and Leicester, Halifax International, HSBC and the Nationwide Building Society among others.

Tags: Abbey National, Alliance and Leicester, Bank Accounts, Banking, Banks, Halifax International, HSBC, Nationwide Building Society

Overview

Our history dates back to 1635, when Charles I opened up his private mail service to the general public. For the next 350 years, the General Post Office (from 1969 The Post Office Corporation) was a national institution, holding the monopoly in communication services.

General Facts

Post Office Ltd serves 24.4m customers a week
95% of the UK adult population visit in a year.
www.postoffice.co.uk received 14m unique users last year
Post Office is the UK’s leading independent provider of travel insurance
Post Office is the largest provider of foreign currency in the UK

Our Customers

Post Office Ltd serves 24.4 million customers a week who make 37 million visits and approximately 63million transactions. All socio-economic groups use the network, and 46% of customers who visit a Post Office branch at least once a week are in the higher social grades ABC1.

Consumers of this group are typically:

A – Older families (46-65) with no children under the age of 18
B – Young families (18-25) with children
C – Mature families (26-45) with children

Post Office is successful in these segments by meeting their needs of convenience and choice, value and quality service.

Our Values

The Post Office® is a vital part of many communities and provides essential services to millions of people in every corner of the country. As an institution, we’ve earned the trust of the British people and through decades of behind the counter service, we have become woven into the fabric of many lives.

Looking forward, our ambition is to remain central to the lives of our customers by being the UK’s most trusted provider of essential services. This will help our commitment to become a successful commercial organisation whilst retaining our social purpose and placing us actively on the side of our customers.

The Post Office business values were developed following extensive colleague and customer research. These describe Post Office Ltd products and services at their best now and point to where they all need to be in the future:

Fairer -transparent, on your side, for everyone
Easier-straightforward, helping hand, accessible
Better-responsible, right for you, good value

This difference is fundamental and straightforward: where most businesses are driven mainly by profit, the Post Office® is a business with a social purpose and exists to serve the people at a fair profit. In doing so, we are actively on the side of the people.

Advertising Campaign

October 2007 saw the launch of a new advertising campaign, which introduced fictional subpostmaster Ken and his team Jill, Ted and Amir. The campaign was created to help remind people why they love the Post Office whilst promoting the range of products and services that are now available. The campaign had an immediate impact, topping the advertising awareness charts in Marketing Week.

In May 2008, 60% of people were aware of any Post Office advertising. 30% of people were aware of Post Office advertising in newspapers and magazines, 10% were aware of adverts online and 30% in branches.

We have seen an 8% increase in the campaign reminding people that the Post office is ‘a much loved institution’.

Since the new campaign began there has been an 11% increase in associating the Post Office as a financial services provider.

Our Broadband ad was also voted top of the charts in the inaugural ‘listeners favourite’ poll on Virgin Radio

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The Instant Saver rate is currently one of the highest variable rates of interest on high street – and you can stay confident in Instant Saver because it will:

Match any increase in the Bank of England base rate until January 2010
Never fall more than 1% below the Bank of England base rate after January 2010 and for as long as you hold the account

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For More information on specific Banks use these links

• Alliance & Leicester
• Bank of Scotland
• Barclays
• Capital One
• Child Trust Fund
• First Direct
• HSBC
• Post Office
• Tesco Savings

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For all the best deals on Home, Car, Travel and Life Insurance, Credit Cards, Travel Money cards and Savings Accounts from The Post Office visit www.quoteservices.co.uk/

Tags: Bank of England, Banking, Broadband, Instant Saver, The Post Office, Travel Insurance

Sourced from http://www.bank–accounts.co.uk/

The Bank of England has tried to help mortgage borrowers, and prevent a further decline in the economy from a repeated fall in house prices by reducing interest rates earlier this year. Interest rates currently remain unchanged for the time being and stand at 5 per cent…

What does the Credit Crunch mean for Mortgage Borrowers?

Unfortunately, many mortgage lenders have been unable to pass these savings onto home-owners because of the uncertainties in UK economic growth and in some cases (such as the difficulties experienced by Northern Rock in August last year) because the cash has quite literally run out to fund their current housing stock at the same lower interest rates. What is potentially more worrying for home-owners is that interest rates are unlikely to reduce any further in the near future because of rising inflation which currently stands 1 per cent above the UK Government’s target of 2 per cent – there is even the possibility that they may rise again. All this means that there exists an economic stalemate for the time being, with market predictions bringing little joy to home-owners, businesses and employees over the next few months, and possibly well into 2009.

What the Credit Crunch means for mortgage borrowers is uncertain. Banks other than Northern Rock have also felt the ‘credit crunch’. Such a case is that of Bradford and Bingley, the latest bank that has found itself being unable to fund its Buy-to-Let business as the cash it requires is simply not available from their traditional avenues of finance. As a result, Bradford and Bingley has recently suffered massive falls in its stock share price because of a profits warning for 2008 – more and more of their mortgage customers are increasingly missing their monthly repayments on property that is potentially decreasing in value as average house prices continue to fall month on month. These figures also echo a steep rise in repossession figures for the first quarter of 2008…

Credit Crunch Budgeting and Financial Planning for Everyone
For many, one way to cut a path through these difficult times, when cheap re-mortgaging and low fixed rate deals are harder to come by, is to revise how they manage the money that’s already in their pockets, ensuring that they make the most of every pound by making savings and reductions wherever possible. Ensuring that sensible financial budgeting is at the forefront of everybody’s minds is very important, as well as keeping both eyes open for the best deals on mortgages rates, the banks’ current account deals and where it is possible to save money, on the highest interest savings accounts.

Most banks want you to deposit money regularly with them due to their shortage of cash liquidity, so high interest rate accounts are being offered to tempt you to give them your business.

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For More information on specific Banks use these links

• Alliance & Leicester
• Bank of Scotland
• Barclays
• Capital One
• Child Trust Fund
• First Direct
• HSBC
• Post Office
• Tesco Savings

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For all the best deals on Current bank account, Business bank accounts, Savings and Mortgage deals visit the number one Independent Bank Compassion site Bank—Accounts

Tags: Bank Accounts, Bank of England, Banking, Bradford and Bingley, Credit Crunch, Economic Growth, Financial Planning, House Prices, Mortgage, Mortgage Lenders, Northern Rock

Sourced from http://www.bank–accounts.co.uk/

If you are looking for ways to improve your chances of receiving a loan, the best option is to build your collateral in order to show the lender that you have a strong financial history and are a dedicated to repaying the loan.

In banking terms, collateral is used to indicate assets that secure a debt obligation. In the case of a house mortgage, for example, the house serves as the collateral for the mortgage loan. This way, the bank is completely secured against the risk of the borrower not being able to meet the interest payments – if you cannot make the payments, the bank will seize your home.

There are two different types of collateral that banks will consider. The first type of collateral is secured lending, otherwise known as asset-based lending. The other type of collateral refers to more ‘liquid’ assets such as cash or securities, often known as ‘margin’.

Depending on the needs of your lender, having a strong amount of collateral will likely help you secure a loan more easily, and may even allow you to negotiate lower interest rates.

One of the best ways to improve your collateral is to start making smart investments. These don’t have to be large; you can start small and build yourself up over time. In fact, most people build their collateral using the loan system – they use small loans to make smart investments and eventually they have a large amount of collateral to their name.

Easy Ways to Improve Your Image without Collateral

You don’t have to buy a home to improve your image in the eyes of a lender. Here are some simple ways to improve your financial image:

• Make bill payments on-time: avoid trying to wait until the last possible minute to pay your bills. Get on-top of the bill payment situation – and pay your bill as soon as it arrives in the mail
• Avoid maxing out your credit card: interest rates and payments can become very difficult to manage and can become easily out of control. Try to make more than the minimum payments each month
• You don’t have to carry a credit card balance: one of the many myths of building collateral is that you need a credit card balance. In fact, many credit scores don’t distinguish the fact if you carry a credit card or not
• Open a checking or savings account: although not critical, many lenders will look at your credit history and look favourably on the fact that you represent stability
• Obtain a secured credit card: these cards allow you to make a deposit with a lender – and the amount usually becomes your credit limit. The issuer takes on very little risk because if you don’t pay on time, it can go into your account to cover the bill
• Use a co-signer if possible: If it is feasible to obtain a co-signer for your first few credit accounts. In these circumstances the credit rating of the co-signer will be added to your own
• Make smart financial decisions: Make sure your credit is in place before you make large purchases

Building collateral is one of the most important things you can do in order to obtain a healthy financial situation. Start today, as the process does take time. However, the rewards for having good credit will far outweigh the problems associated with having no collateral.

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For More information on specific Banks use these links

• Alliance & Leicester
• Bank of Scotland
• Barclays
• Capital One
• Child Trust Fund
• First Direct
• HSBC
• Post Office
• Tesco Savings

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For all the best deals on Current bank account, Business bank accounts, Savings and Mortgage deals visit the number one Independent Bank Compassion site Bank—Accounts

Tags: Bank Accounts, Banking, Collateral, Credit Crunch, Credit Score, Financial Planning, Interest Payments, Loans, Payments

Sourced from http://www.yourcashloan.co.uk

For many people throughout the UK, taking out a loan is a good solution for unforeseen financial problems; loans can help get things back on the right track. Whereas money and financial difficulties can create stress, a loan can help return a sense of security to your life.

However, there are many reasons to take out a loan – and not all of them are in response to a negative event. Although loans can be helpful when unforeseen circumstances, such as a job loss or emergency arise, they can also add value to your life. A well planned loan can be the perfect solution for financing the lifestyle of your dreams.

The Freedom To Do What You Want

When a loan is carefully planned, it can help you purchase the things you want in life faster. In fact, one of the most popular reasons that many people will obtain a loan, is a strategy for accessing capital that is otherwise tied up in investments. Some of the most common uses for loans are:

	Funeral Costs A Luxury Holiday A “Dream” Purchase, such as a Car or Boat Debt Consolidation Wedding Expenses Cosmetic Surgery

Advantages

Loans can be a sensible way to borrow a substantial sum of money, and often there is little or no inconvenience to the borrower. This is because taking out a loan has never been easier or more convenient than it is right now. Thanks to enhanced customer service and internet-based tools, applying for, approving, receiving, and repaying a loan is quick and pain-free.

Best of all, it is a great way to get the money you need right away. There are several advantages to taking out a loan- consider these possibilities:

	Easy Arrangement Procedures: Loan companies make great strives to ensure that your loan process goes as smoothly as possible Simple Repayment Schedule: A fixed schedule will enable you to budget easily and your debt will be paid off within a set time – thereby eliminating any grey area or confusion Good Rates: Many lenders throughout the UK offer very competitive interest rates Makes a Great Alternative: Loans are often a more affordable and better choice compared with using credit cards and overdrafts Lump Sums: When taking out a loan, you walk away instantly with a large sum to spend on your home, holidays, a new car or whatever your needs may be Easy Re-payments: On-line and staggered payment options allow you to repay your loan quickly

Your Dream Awaits You

The greatest advantage that a loan provides is peace of mind. A loan can allow you to stop waiting and start living your life the way you want to. Or, it can eliminate financial stress that often accompanies the difficult times in life, such as job loss, death, or illness.

Consider getting a loan today – it may help you in ways you never thought possible.

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For More information on Cash Loans and Creddit use these links

• Cash loans
• Provident Visa Card
• easy shop cards
• Gift Vouchers
• www.lenderscompared.org.uk/

Tags: Banking, Cash Loans, Credit, Credit Score, Financial Planning, Loans, Provident Cash Loans

Sourced from http://www.quoteservices.co.uk/

Of all the different ways to protect your money while travelling, none is more important than getting the best currency exchange rate for your traveller’s cheques. It is very easy to become convinced that you are getting the best currency rate, but how do you know for sure? How do you know where to go for the best currency exchange rate?

Whether or not you’re looking for a favourable exchange rate for your next holiday, or you’re considering purchasing overseas, and you need to transfer a large sum from UK pounds into local currency, you should always be looking for the best rate.

Currency Exchange Rates Matter

It is always critical to be on the lookout for good exchange rates, no matter what amount of money you’re planning to change. The better the exchange rate, the more money you’ll find in your pocket. Also, if you plan to change money back into pounds and pence when you return to the UK, you want to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal during both exchanges.

Going on Holiday?

If you are planning on travelling to a location where currency exchange is your only option, make sure you keep these tips in mind:

• Try to avoid exchanging your foreign currency at the airport before you fly
• Airport currency exchanges are often less favourable and also require a set commission for merely changing your money
• “Commission-free” often does not mean commission free
• “Commission-free” deals often alter the exchange rate in their favour in order to recover the lost commission

More Exchange Tips

There are several other good tips for those overseas travellers looking to save money. Take the time to review these tips when looking to avoid onerous currency exchange rates:

• Take out money from your account at an ATM instead of an exchange counter
• Avoid credit card advances
• Try to get a credit card that best suits your overseas travelling needs, especially a card that doesn’t add extra percentages to a standard 1% conversion fee
• Read up about your destination to see what works best
• Consider wearing a money belt

Big Purchases? Big Exchange Rates?

Exchange rates can be at their most expensive if you plan to buy property or something of significant financial impact. If you are planning to buy property overseas, you will be required to change your UK sterling into the currency required to compete your purchase. By transferring a large sum of money, you don’t want to lose hundreds of pounds simply through the currency exchange. It is always important to consider hiring a specialist broker, rather than simply exchanging money through your bank. Talking to a specialist broker can also save you money, if you had planned to use currency exchange company suggested by your real estate company. Specialist brokers can offer extremely favourable exchange rates on small or large amounts of money.

Always read and inform yourself about the best possible rates and appropriate action when dealing with currency exchanges. It will ultimately save you money and improve your overall holiday.

Planning a holiday sometime in the near future?

Click here to find out more information about foreign currency exchange and holiday insurance packages.

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For More information on specific Banks use these links

• Alliance & Leicester
• Bank of Scotland
• Barclays
• Capital One
• Child Trust Fund
• First Direct
• HSBC
• Post Office
• Tesco Savings

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For all the best deals on Home, Car, Travel and Life Insurance, Credit Cards, Travel Money cards and Savings Accounts from The Post Office visit www.quoteservices.co.uk/

Tags: Banking, Banking and Insurance, Currency Exchange, Exchange Rates, The Post Office, Travel

Sourced from http://www.mcafee-downloads.co.uk/

Family man from Florida explains,
“We feel much more secure using McAfee.”

The most dangerous hackers online today want to hijack your unprotected information to use for identity and bank theft. These hackers want to take over vulnerable home computers to mask their identity as they perform further illegal acts – including installing spyware.

Because many families do not maintain adequate security to protect their computers – families have become easy prey to the illegal motives of computer hackers. The Wierzbowski family of Florida, however, seem like unlikely victims – “I’ve been aware of the need for PC security since we got our first home computer in 1999,” explained Jon Wierzbowski. “I did comparison shopping for a security solution and saw that McAfee® came highly recommended.”

Jon, a police officer and professor in his mid-40s, trusts and uses McAfee to protect his family’s several computers. “I use our computers for email, photos, music, surfing, online banking, and occasional purchases.” Jon further explains that he feels 100% confident that all of his computers are properly protected and carefully loaded with all the right security software.

Jon uses McAfee Wireless Protection to protect his computers from the potential hacking concerns that accompany the use of wireless Internet in his home. Jon understands completely that he’s at additional risk when using the Internet with a wireless connection.

“Our biggest concerns are identity theft and bank account theft,” Jon said. “With the increase in identity theft, we all need better security now and in the future, and McAfee is the best available.”

McAfee employs only the top talent in the computer industry. This way McAfee can ensure that it is giving its customers only the best possible service and the best possible protection for its customers. A subscription to McAfee also ensures that Jon’s software is always uploading and is prepared to face the challenges of surfing the Internet.

As an officer of the law, Jon is very aware of the hazards and dangers associated with growing up in a wireless society. With online predators, inappropriate content, and other dangers, Jon counts on McAfee to protect his children from the dangers of online predators.

McAfee’s customer service is also what sold Jon and his wife Kara on buying its computer software – “McAfee’s online customer service, with its live chat function, is very helpful when we have questions,” Jon explained. “Theft will always be a concern as we shop, communicate, and surf online-that’s just reality. But we feel much more secure using McAfee.”

McAfee uses the most up-to-date anti-phishing technologies to protect identity and bank theft in order to protect the identities of customers like Jon and Kara. McAfee Internet Security Suite guarantees trusted PC protection from viruses, hackers, and spyware. Thanks to McAfee and their protection, Jon explains, he can rest easy knowing that his family is protected.

Interview Conducted by Contos Dunne Communications LLC: February 2007

For more information on Anti Virus products visit : www.mcafee-downloads.co.uk/

Tags: Anti Virus, Bank Account Theft, Banking, Digital Download Products, Fraud, Hackers, Home Electricals and Computers, Identity Theft, Mcafee