Rapport lacking

Rik · Oct 03, 2011, 19:05:22

I've just spent an hour trying to sort out why I couldn't fire up Firefox, or any browser. Turns out that Rapport was preventing them starting up, somehow - I was just getting a stub loading. Rapport also managed to corrupt all my restore points, so I had to do a brute force uninstall - it wouldn't uninstall via Control Panel and their removal tool kept wanting to open in WMP!

All is well again now, and I have cleaned up and imaged the drive. I'm curious what triggered it, though.

Steve · Oct 03, 2011, 19:25:38

I'm just wondering now that I have to generate some apparently random numbers (secure key) before I log on to Internet banking whether I actually need this software.

Gary · Oct 03, 2011, 19:59:16

Rapport has caused many glitches and issues, I never installed it, google Rapport problems and you will see why

pctech · Oct 03, 2011, 20:16:31

Its caused a few misfires for me too but stopping and restarting the service (which you can do via the shortcuts in the Start menu) did the trick.

I think a lot of people's problems are caused by toolbars that are bundled with sofrware or stuff people pick up from torrents along with apps they run from THAT website people spend so much time on these days.

Did the uninstaller have an .msi extension, Rik? If so its a file association problem and needs to be associated with msiexec.

Gary · Oct 03, 2011, 22:40:59

I think its more trouble than its worth, it slows some peoples browsing down, it has been cracked, it may give a false sense of security as well. I would use Prevx safeonline and be done with it

Lance · Oct 03, 2011, 22:58:02

I've never bothered with and never had a problem either (yet!).

pctech · Oct 04, 2011, 00:03:39

The only reason I do run it (I have Prevx with Safeonline too) is that the banks that issue it seem to run a check so they could in theory argue you weren't taking the security precautions mandated by them no matter how flawed they may be and a PC (or Mac) is easier to restore than your hard earned.

I will check the T&Cs, I don't think it mentions you having to run it now but I wouldn't be surprised if it did in the not too distant future.

Gary · Oct 04, 2011, 00:34:57

Quote from: pctech on Oct 04, 2011, 00:03:39
The only reason I do run it (I have Prevx with Safeonline too) is that the banks that issue it seem to run a check so they could in theory argue you weren't taking the security precautions mandated by them no matter how flawed they may be and a PC (or Mac) is easier to restore than your hard earned.

I will check the T&Cs, I don't think it mentions you having to run it now but I wouldn't be surprised if it did in the not too distant future.

NatWest have had it out for years, never used it never will. Barclays offered kaspersky for free once tbh since no AV/safety product is 100% they could not pull 'you didn't use it you are not covered' off. I think you have enough with Prevx tbh. NatWest do a great iPhone app and the iPhone has no AV so they cant demand you use anything as I see it.

Rik · Oct 04, 2011, 09:35:37

Quote from: pctech on Oct 03, 2011, 20:16:31
Did the uninstaller have an .msi extension, Rik? If so its a file association problem and needs to be associated with msiexec.

It was an .exe file, Mitch. Other .exe files I tested worked fine. (Once the CP uninstall failed, it launched Firefox to take me to their site to get the tool.)

Rik · Oct 04, 2011, 09:36:56

Quote from: pctech on Oct 04, 2011, 00:03:39
The only reason I do run it (I have Prevx with Safeonline too) is that the banks that issue it seem to run a check so they could in theory argue you weren't taking the security precautions mandated by them no matter how flawed they may be and a PC (or Mac) is easier to restore than your hard earned.

I will check the T&Cs, I don't think it mentions you having to run it now but I wouldn't be surprised if it did in the not too distant future.

Nationwide specifically say that you're covered by their online guarantee whether you run it or not.

pctech · Oct 04, 2011, 17:54:36

Its very odd that an exe would open with WMP rather than the code being executed directly.

Rik · Oct 04, 2011, 18:08:28

Or offering the save option, Mitch.

pctech · Oct 04, 2011, 18:16:26

Can only think something went awry during download but then normally you'd get the no a valid win32 application error.

Rik · Oct 04, 2011, 18:18:51

It did it twice.

pctech · Oct 04, 2011, 18:19:21

Very odd.

Rik · Oct 04, 2011, 18:22:04

I thought so too, Mitch. Unfortunately, the URL displayed nothing, just tried to d/l the file.

tehidyman · Oct 05, 2011, 10:12:30

Quote from: Steve on Oct 03, 2011, 19:25:38
I'm just wondering now that I have to generate some apparently random numbers (secure key) before I log on to Internet banking whether I actually need this software.

I note you use the descriptor apparently random numbers. If they are random how does the 'bank' know they are correct and if not random they surely are not secure. There appears to be no time or date in the card reader and no form of transmission between the reader and the computer (except what you type in) I have used the same card reader for two account numbers (Mr and Mrs) with the correct cards. I have also used that card reader for a different bank, was told they are generic. All with no problem. Puzzled as to how they can work if they are random and how secure they are if not random.

Steve · Oct 05, 2011, 10:21:32

I guess the term apparantly random is misleading. The secure key provided by HSBC has it's clock synchronised with their server before it's sent out to the customer. The number generated by the key once you've accessed the device by your PIN number is a combination of the current time and the serial number of the secure key device. Apparantly the time doesn't have to be synchronised exactly to the second.

Glenn · Oct 05, 2011, 10:39:46

The security team at work told me that the number pads works from an algorithm. The key and server are sync'd before shipping, the server then stores the next 10 responses expected from the key once the code is entered. So if the response code is entered incorrectly 10 times in a row it locks the account.

tehidyman · Oct 05, 2011, 10:55:26

Steve,
I can see how that system is secure but I was making my comments with respect to my experience with the card reader which works with Nationwide and Tesco Banks where having put in my PIN the reader gives an eight digit number which I type in and I am logged in to the account.
Glenn,
How is it then that I could use the same card reader with two banks? Tesco have now ceased the use of the card reader.

Incidently how important is this http://www.finextra.com/news/fullstory.aspx?newsitemid=23029

Rik · Oct 05, 2011, 10:59:14

I've always been under the impression that the card readers are fairly dumb devices, hashing the card number against the passkey you're prompted to enter. Certainly, I can use a single machine with multiple accounts.

Simon · Oct 05, 2011, 11:19:43

Sounds to me like too many devices invite problems. Luckily, the Halifax still allows me to log in via the details I have in my head.

Rik · Oct 05, 2011, 11:25:22

Same with Nationwide, also luckily.

pctech · Oct 05, 2011, 16:13:54

I would have said the RSA SecureID keyfobs were the best way to protect bank accounts (used to use one for VPN access when I needed it) but after this http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/24/rsa_securid_news_blackout/ probably not.

Rik · Oct 05, 2011, 17:00:46

A private line, secured by armed guards, is what we need, Mitch.