BOAC you posted:
More and more institutions keep nagging me to download and install - any updates/latest opinions?
PPrune Pop posted:
I am trying to be worried about Rapport but I am not. I installed it in 2008 and it works as far as I know. I don't recall, or recognize, any fault I have that could be related to its installtion. I would be happy to listen if someone feels that I am not being careful enough - but as I say I have not had a problem.
As the originator of this thread and with my poor experiences with Rapport, I am still reluctant to install it, even though two of the banks I use have ‘nag’ screens about installing it. My reasons are as follows:
On contacting the Banks concerned, I found it very difficult to establish contact with their Senior IT Managers. However, persistence paid off and eventually I was able to discuss my concerns with them. I would also suggest anyone else considering installing this software should do the same. Then simply ask them that if you should install the software and if it causes any problems to your computer, will they take the responsible action and pay or arrange to have your computer corrected. Just watch them duck and dive and squirm. They WILL NOT give you this assurance. Yet they are categorical in their assurances that it SHOULD not cause a problem.
Whilst I have not fully looked into the full current situation with Rapport, these recent postings encouraged me to briefly look and update myself at some of the major original concerns that I had with it after my previous experiences.
This has highlighted that many of these remain.
To give just a few examples:
1.Does Rapport store or send any information on me?
From Rapport’s own website under the FAQs, the following is stated, ‘Rapport creates an encrypted signature of your credentials on your computer. This information cannot be used to retrieve your credentials and is used by Rapport to identify any unauthorized leakage of your credentials. Rapport sends anonymous reports about security events and internal errors to a central server. This information is used to improve the product and the policy. You can specifically instruct Rapport not to send out any information.’
My comment and feelings:
I personally am not comfortable with any software that automatically sends out information that I am not aware of. How many of you ‘satisfied’ Rapport users have actually been able to OR EVEN KNOW HOW TO specifically instruct Rapport not to send out any information. Where is this information going to? It is an Israeli company, so is this information ending up there? What control is there in that country about the storage and use of personal information?
2. If I were to try and install Rapport, it would still actual disable some functionality within my purchased Internet Security Program.
My comment and feelings:
I personally am not comfortable with any software that automatically changes functionality with my installed Internet Security Program. Even more so if one is not told what functionality is actually changed? How many of you ‘satisfied’ Rapport users are actually aware as to what has been changed? I am not confident with any installed software that has to make changes to currently installed programs to be able to make it function - they should be stand-alone within their own rights in the same manner that all the other software that we load.
3. Having recently helped a colleague out, whom after installing Rapport, had problems and wished to uninstall it. Rapport would still not FULLY uninstall using the normal uninstall procedures. Only by the use of the special ‘uninstall’ tool provided to me by Trusteer after my previous experience of their program, was I able to remove certain aspects of their program.
Ironically and interestingly, I have upgraded my computer since I had installed Rapport. As I was passing that computer on to a family member, I wished to format the hard drives fully. Whilst not able to be certain, it appears that possible ‘Rapport’ related information was even still well embedded within the root of the drive.
My comment and feelings:
Why is it not able to be removed fully from a computer using the normal accepted procedures? What is it still actually leaving? Considering that it does store and does send information on the user, could this still be the case when you believe that you have uninstalled it?
4. This software is provided free. However, this is certainly not like most freeware sources that one experiences – a couple of enthusiasts producing software that they need and providing it free to others. Trusteer is operated like a huge commercial Software House with 7/24 support etc etc.
My comment and feelings:
This must surely beg the question where is their revenue stream for all this?
If the Banks that almost ‘force’ us to use it have to pay for it, you can be sure they would attempt to pass on the cost to the customer. Instead commercial banking staff at senior levels are more than likely being offered junkets to increase the Rapport user base.
I might be wrong and it might be a large collection of public spirited Israelis who have no commercial interests and are being provided with all free facilities and have decided to provide the rest of the world with free software!
IN CONCLUSION - I STILL feel Rapport from Trusteer definitely needs to be considered with caution.
Google for "Rapport Problems" and you'll find all the blogs and forums you need. A well-maintained, properly secured PC does not need this or any of the problems that come with it. Also, purely out of interest, look out for patronising posts from Trusteer support on the blogs and forums...they are usually accompanied by a post from some guy telling you how he and his brother both use Rapport and how wonderful it is.
To anyone such as PPrune Pop whom is satisfied with it, then stick with it.
Like many things in life, one has to make one’s own judgement, which is why I deliberately originally titled this thread ‘CAUTION – Free Online Banking Security Software.’