Who Else Wants To Know About An On Screen Keyboard?

Do you really know what kind of a computer security system your company has? Maybe I should rephrase the question. Do you feel safe about the kind of information you input on your computer at work or at home? Confused? Well, you need to be more alert, not so confused. Simply because phishing as we have come to know it, has become the number one way for people to steal identities and a whole lot more from unsuspecting people like you and me who literally use the computer for all our transactions. But there might be a solution to this and it is a rather simple one. And this solution goes under the guise of an on screen keyboard.

An on screen keyboard is not just a new concept. It is a rather revolutionary concept. If you have ever visited most banking websites, especially those that offer Internet banking, you will realize what I mean by an on screen keyboard. It is that nifty little widget that allows users to input characters into the username and password fields without making actual use of the regular computer or laptop keyboard. Why would anyone want to do this you ask. Well, the answer lies with one phrase – the rampant rise of phishing as a means to identity and money theft.

You see, the trouble with the conventional keyboard is that it is fully integrated with the software of your system. So theoretically, when someone is able to gain access to the software that controls your hardware, they will be able to monitor each and every keystroke you make on the conventional keyboard. But the same is not the case with the on screen keyboard. Since you use little more than the mouse to use the on screen keyboard, there is no fear that someone will be able to intercept your clicks and interpret them to know your username and password details. In fact, the on screen keyboard has practically become the norm in key financial service industries and banking websites as it offers an unprecedented level of security.

Although the on screen keyboard is for the time being an infallible way for people to beat the scamsters at their own game, and so far, it has remained safe and secure from the machinations of cyber crooks, the day is not far when there will be a technology to crack this code as well. But until then, if you have been relying on conventional IT security systems, you would do well to adopt an on screen keyboard based system for your own safety.