Having conducted a comprehensive analysis over its existing online banking security measures and taken users habits into full account, CCB recently introduced the online banking ActivCard tailored for the mass market, being the first among domestic banks to introduce such service. With the ActivCard, the consumers may use the online banking services with comfort and at ease.

It is reported that the online banking ActivCard introduced by CCB has the same size and shape as an ordinary banking card. It is commonly called as the scratch card. Each scratch card has 30 different passwords. Each time the client does online banking transactions, she or he only needs to input one password on the scratch card in order. One password can be used only for one time. The card was introduced by three branches including Liaoning Branch this May. With randomly changeable passwords, the ActivCard may guarantee the security of online banking transactions effectively. Therefore, it was well received by the clients since it was introduced.

It is known that this card has the following features. First, one password one time, secure and reliable. The static password is easily lost or forgotten. The online card with dynamic password may offset the disadvantages of static password. The client does not need to memorize the password. When the client does the online banking transactions, he or she may get a new password from the scratch card. This may easily and effectively resolve the problem of the online banking password being stolen by Trojan virus. Second, simple operation, convenient and ease of use. The generation of dynamic passwords is independent of clients’ computers. The clients do not need to install any program in the compute. Third, it is widely used, customized and easy to carry. This online banking ActivCard is designed and developed for the mass market. It is as small as an ordinary banking card and easy to carry. If one client has 2-3 online banking transactions per month, one such card may satisfy his or her needs for the whole year.

Since May 2005, CCB successively introduced the ActivCard in Liaoning Branch, Zhejiang Branch and Ningbo Branch on a pilot basis. It was well received by the clients. The dynamic passwords on the scratch card and its security feature of one password for one transaction became the highlights of the card during the pilot and marketing phase. It was universally recognized by the clients. Meanwhile, it’s light, thin, small and easy to use. All these features create conditions for the scratch card to gain popularity. After marketing for some time, it aroused strong response from the market. It is the clients’ belief that the scratch card may offset the disadvantages of static passwords and resolve the following problems: the password is easily stolen if it is too simply and the password is easily forgotten if it is too complicated. It’s easy to operate and carry. The Clients do not need to worry about the problems of installation and use. It is suitable for the consumers with greater demands for inquiry and less demands for payment and the E-banking clients who are always on the travel and have no fixed computers for Internet access. 

It is said that since it started to offer online banking services, CCB has introduced such security measures as the double passwords protection, the password soft keyboard input device, the IE browser with 128-bit key, the SSL transmission encryption and digital certificate as well as USBKEY user certificate carrier. The ActivCard is a supplement to various security measures, which consist of CCB’s online banking security system. The system is able to offer a strong guarantee for the security of clients’ information and funds for it may minimize the risks of using the online banking, improve the security of online banking services, and increase clients’ trust upon CCB online banking services. This creates favorable conditions for the rapid development of CCB’s E-banking services and a good foundation for the wide use of online banking services.