Trusteer

Alliance & Leicester has started providing free software to its Internet banking customers which gives an additional layer of protection against phishing attacks and fake websites, the bank announced today.

The innovative ‘Rapport’ anti-malware software from Trusteer, silently protects information entered by users into their Internet browser, including their unique customer ID and PIN, from malicious software like Trojans which could be hiding on some computers. It will also protect against redirection to fake lookalike web sites.

Rapport works alongside existing anti-virus software and firewalls to provide additional protection when banking, by ring-fencing information away from the Trojan. Rapport is currently available to over one million Alliance & Leicester’s Internet Banking customers who can download this software from the Alliance & Leicester website.

Tim Brunt, Head of Internet Banking at Alliance & Leicester said: “I would urge all Alliance & Leicester customers who use Internet Banking to download this software the next time they are online. It will provide important additional protection when they bank online by ring-fencing their valuable information, and it is quick and easy to download. This free Rapport software could save them the stress and inconvenience of dealing with fraud on their account.

“There are some very clever fraudsters out there wanting your information. There are a few simple things that Internet banking customers can use to protect themselves against fraud – download Rapport on the computers you use to carry out Internet banking, install and use anti-virus software programme, and ensure your computer firewalls are turned on.”

“Customers should be aware that Alliance & Leicester will never send them an email asking them to verify their security details or a link to Internet banking. Anyone who does receive an email claiming to be from Alliance & Leicester which they are suspicious of, should be forwarded to suspiciousemails@alliance-leicester.co.uk

For more information on Alliance & Leicester current accounts, go online at www.alliance-leicester.co.uk.

The information contained in Abbey's press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions.

Abbey and the flame logo are registered trademarks.

Notes to Editors

At Alliance & Leicester we will never send you an email that asks you to verify your security details or link to Internet banking. If you receive an email claiming to be from Alliance & Leicester that you are suspicious about, please forward it to suspiciousemails@alliance-leicester.co.uk.

Rapport is a free download available to Alliance & Leicester internet banking customers, through Alliance & Leicester’s internet banking site, and is available from Wednesday 4 November 2009.

Rapport was named the winner of the 2008 “Best of the Web” award from Online Banking Report. It works by securing communication between the customer and the bank during internet banking sessions, protecting their valuable personal information. Rapport warns customers if they are at risk of responding to a phishing attack, prevents Trojans from capturing their details, and inhibits any interference with online communications (such as transactions) between the customer and the bank.

About Us

Santander (SAN.MC, STD.N) is a retail and commercial bank, based in Spain, with operations in more than 40 countries. At the end of 2008, Santander was the largest bank in the euro zone by market capitalization and third in the world by profit. Founded in 1857, Santander had EUR 1,168 billion in managed funds at the end of 2008.

Following the acquisition of Sovereign Bancorp of the U.S. in January 2009, Santander has 90 million customers, more than 14,000 branches – more than any other international bank – and over 180,000 employees. It is the largest financial group in Spain and Latin America, with leading positions in the United Kingdom and Portugal and a broad presence in Europe through its Santander Consumer Finance arm. In 2008, Santander registered €8,876 million in net attributable profit, an increase of 9% from the previous year excluding capital gains.

In the UK, Santander operates three retail businesses – Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and the savings business of Bradford & Bingley. Together they have over 1300 branches, around 4,500 cash machines and they provide a full range of retail and corporate banking services to 24 million customers.

Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and the savings business of Bradford & Bingley will all become known as Santander by the end of 2010.

Abbey and the savings business of Bradford & Bingley will be rebranded from the first quarter of 2010 and Alliance & Leicester will follow later in the year. The move will deliver a significant advantage for customers as they will be able to use any of 1,000 Santander branches from early 2010, rising to over 1,300 by the end of 2010.

The Bradford & Bingley logo is a trade mark of Bradford & Bingley plc and is used under licence.

About Trusteer

Trusteer enables online businesses to establish a secure communication tunnel with their customers over the Internet that stretches from user's keyboard into the company's website. Trusteer's flagship product, Rapport, allows online banks, brokerages, healthcare organisations, and retailers to protect their customers from identity theft and financial fraud. Unlike conventional approaches to internet security, Rapport protects users' confidential information even if their computer is infected with malware including Trojans, or is victimised by phishing attacks. Trusteer is a privately held corporation led by former executives from Cyota/RSA Security, Imperva, and NetScreen/Juniper. For more information visit www.trusteer.com.

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Press Office
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