Bank offers free security software

Barclays bank has offered all of its online banking customers free internet security software.

Though the bank already offers free anti-virus packages to online banking customers, Barclays has recognised that online threats come in many shapes and forms.

Sean Gilchrist, director of Digital Banking for Barclays, said: "As internet fraudsters become more sophisticated it is important that customers protect their computers from all threats and not just viruses."

The software package is provided by Kaspersky Labs and worth £51.

Changes to the banking code made earlier this year now mean that banks are not obliged to repay money to victims of online fraud if the individual didn't have up-to-date security software.

Barclays last year sent an anti-fraud device, the PINsentry to all of its regular online banking customers.

www.barclays.co.uk