Like in other banks, Tatra banka's clients and computers are also subject to attacks. The maximum security in working with the Internet can only be ensured by a strict compliance with security recommendations. As clients still underestimate the recommendations (absence of antivirus and anti-spyware softwares, unsecured access to the Internet), the bank does all it can to protect its clients.

This year, Tatra banka as the first bank in Slovakia decides to introduce a new authorization and authentication tool "Card and Reader" in the Internet Banking. This tool consists of a standard chip payment card with a functional CAP/DPA application. This functionality enables to verify the client when logging in to the Internet Banking and to authorize payments after the correct payment-card PIN has been entered. The reader can read all chip debit payment cards VISA Electron and MasterCard, credit cards VISA Platinum and AllianzCard issued by Tatra banka after the 1st of September 2007. These cards contain a CAP/DPA application and will be usable as part of the security tool "Card and Reader" from October 2007 onwards.

"The introduction of "Card and Reader" into Internet Banking is a major step towards increasing Internet Banking security. The synergy of the known and commonly used payment card and Internet Banking represents a way to make electronic banking more accessible to clients, increase security and continuously cut the costs of electronic banking." says Natália Major, director of Tatra banka's Electronic Distribution Channels.

Each client activating Tatra banka's Internet Banking service will automatically obtain the new security tool. The chip-card readers will be supplied by the Swedish company TODOS, a certified manufacturer of chip-paymentcards readers. Tatra banka uses the product TODOS eCode Authenticator whose navigation menu is (upon the bank's request) identical with Tatra banka's Internet Banking and supports the Slovak language.

"Internet Banking is just the first electronic channel, the other will follow later. 'Card and Reader' will gradually become the only authorization tool. The first tool to be replaced is the static Grid Card," says N. Major.