Logged on this morning to the CNPJ account I have with Itau, to emit some boletos, and encountered a new security feature.  In order to continue to use on-line banking, I MUST download a piece of software, which will reside on my computer.  In fact, it must be installed on each and every computer I might use to access the account.  The software is called G-Buster Browser Defense.

Prior to installing it, I wanted to do a bit of research as to what it is, and what it does (in addition to the purported claims of making my account 'safer').
I found this article to be informative.

As the article mentions, HSBC has a nice security feature, which doesn't require a special program to be installed on your machine.  Anyway, I'm throwing this out there for some feedback from those forum members who are software programmers (Sven), and anyone who has installed this particular program because their bank also requires it.  Evidently, this thing is quite popular in Brasil, but not really used anywhere else.  Hmmmm.... 



Edited by Gringo.Floripa - 16 February 2012 at 08:45

Itau online banking sucks.
Spent hours to make it work to validate an e-CPF.
Needed to turn off all browser security in the crappy Internet Explorer.
So basically Itau Security and phone support tells you to turn off all security.
Frecking dumb ass Brazzer programmers are useless as always.

EDIT: This is a business account as well.
It installs 2 browser plugins to make everything work.
Both plugins needs full admin rights to work properly.
A user restricted by GPO policies needs to have full admin rights on the local computer or in Internet Explorer to make it work.


Edited by Twirly - 16 February 2012 at 08:58

Originally posted by sven I use mac(personal) and linux(work). I have no wondooze system whatsoever, so basically I am f**ked. Neither Safari nor Google open the login screen for the Itau-empresa site (the one where you have to identify which card), I'm able to login on Linux using Firefox, but can't install the app (logically, it's windooze). Crap, I just found out I can't even do THAT anymore.

I  use a mac as well, though have an old computer running xp, sitting on a shelf, collecting dust.  So that's one thing I was wondering... if G-Buster Browser 'Defense' would even install on my mac.

I hate to have to go through the hassle of closing the account and opening one somewhere else.  I use HSBC for personal, and prefer not to put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak.  Yet this really chaps my a** that I have no choice but to install this thing, which according to what little I've read via googling the topic, is virtually impossible to remove, other than reinstalling your OS.  Ugh!

Originally posted by sven Trouble is, my company is not a micro empresa, so I can't sue them yet. But this is ridiculous.

I think they'll eventually roll this out to all accounts, even PF.

@ 3casas, Twirly, Sven... anyone who might be encountering this, not sure what good it will do, but I'm going to call today and complain, as well as threaten to close my account and take my business to another bank.  Obviously, the call center reps will be full of apologies, but nothing else (and when they conclude with "Mais informações Sr. Gringo?", I'm going to SCREAM!).  Yet I'm going to insist they forward my comments to a managerial level.

If any of you find the time today, give them a call as well please.  Perhaps if they receive enough complaints, they'll scrap this stupid thing.  BTW, Itau is calling it Guardião Itau 30 Horas, but the program, when asking to be installed, is called G-Buster Browser Defense.
The Itau number, for PJ accounts, is 0300-100-7575.



Edited by Gringo.Floripa - 16 February 2012 at 10:35

Okay, so I called.  First of all, they are having problems with this working on macs.  The rep made an "exception" for my account, so I can now go on-line and emit the boletos, however, the exception is only valid for 10 days (when they expect to have the mac issue resolved).

I asked him to forward my complaint to the responsible persons, and he was like "uh-huh, uh-huh" (in other words, my comments were destined for the circular file).  Yet when I told him to also inform them I was considering closing my account, and taking my business to another bank, there was a long silent pause, and then I could hear him typing on his keyboard.... 

BTW, he did NOT conclude the call with "Mais informações Sr. Gringo?"