Anti-Malware Security Features

DBS Anti-Malware Security Features

The rise of malware threats

Malware threats are on the rise, with scammers using carefully planned and sophisticated methods to trick customers into downloading malware through malicious apps. Once your phone is infected by malware, scammers can steal sensitive information like your banking login credentials and SMS OTPs. They can remotely control your mobile device to perform fraudulent monetary transactions without your knowledge or consent.

What we are doing to protect youWe have recently enhanced our anti-malware capabilities to prevent scammers from logging into customers’ DBS digibank HK accounts.

Our enhanced anti-malware tool restricts DBS digibank HK access when it detects log-in attempts from mobile devices that are likely infected with malware or have settings that make it prone to security vulnerabilities. This includes:

Known malware applications and jailbroken or rooted mobile devices

Mobile devices with risky apps or permission settings

Mobile devices with potentially unauthorised ongoing screen-sharing

Mobile devices with USB/Wireless debugging mode enabled

To safeguard your banking accounts and monies, you will need to remove the malicious or risky apps, turn off accessibility permission settings or stop screen-sharing before you can access DBS digibank HK again. As with all our security features, customers can be assured that the use of the anti-malware tool is limited to the detection of malware activity and security threats. No additional personal data from their device is collected.

Seeing a message that your DBS digibank HK access is restricted?

This is our precautionary measure to safeguard you against potential malware threats. If you see this, it means that your mobile device is likely exposed to malware-related threats.

Select the message you see on your mobile device and we’ll guide you on how to restore your DBS digibank HK access.

Why are you seeing this?

If you see this message, it means that your mobile device contains apps that are not downloaded from official app stores and has accessibility settings switched on. This may give scammers control of your device.

What you can do

To restore access, you will need to:

Uninstall the apps shown in the message that pops up on your screen when you open your DBS digibank HK mobile. (Recommended)
Or, if you trust that the app is safe, you can turn off ‘Accessibility’ for the listed apps via the ‘Settings’ menu on your device

Note: The steps to turn off an app’s ‘Accessibility’ may differ by phone model. Please check with your device manufacturer for details.

Does DBS digibank HK scan your mobile device or collect personal information?

Your privacy matters. Use of the anti-malware tool is limited to the detection of malware activity and security threats. No additional personal data from your device is collected.

Is it possible to continue using the DBS digibank HK app alongside the apps identified in the message?

If you trust that the identified apps are safe and wish to continue using them alongside your DBS digibank HK app, you may turn off ‘Accessibility’ for the identified apps. You will be able to access the DBS digibank HK app after.

What are ‘Accessibility’ settings and how do cyber criminals exploit them?

Accessibility settings, like text-to-speech, provide user interface enhancements that makes it easier for users with disabilities to navigate a mobile device. However, cyber criminals are abusing these settings to control the device remotely or steal sensitive information.

How do I change the Accessibility settings for apps that were not downloaded from the official app stores?

The steps to turn off an app’s ‘Accessibility’ may differ by phone model. Please check with your device manufacturer.
Here are steps to change accessibility settings for some popular phone models:
Settings > Accessibility > Installed Apps

Why are some well-known apps being flagged as risky apps?

Our anti-malware tool flags apps that have been downloaded from sources other than official app stores. Some well-known apps come from non-official sources, so they carry potential security risks.

What are the official app stores?

• Google Play Store
• Samsung Galaxy Store
• Huawei AppGallery
• Xiaomi MI App Store
• Amazon appstore
• Vivo V-Appstore
• Oppo App Market

Why are you seeing this?

If you see this message, it means that your device is likely infected with known malware applications, or is jailbroken or rooted. You may have downloaded malicious apps via links in text messages, social media or third-party websites instead of official sources like the Google Play or Apple App Store.

To safeguard your banking account, access to DBS digibank HK has been restricted.

What you can do

If your mobile device is not jailbroken or rooted, follow the steps below to remove the malware.

How to remove malware on your mobile device?

Disconnect your mobile device from the internet. Turn off WiFi and mobile data, or turn on Airplane Mode, so scammers cannot access your phone through the malicious app.
Go through your list of installed apps. Look for anything suspicious:
- Apps you do not recognise or do not recall downloading
- Suspicious apps with generic names, wrong spellings, or unauthorised app store icons.
Delete such apps from your mobile device.

For more detailed steps on removing malware, please refer to your device manufacturer: Android Mobile devices

What if your DBS digibank HK mobile access is still blocked after taking these steps?

We recommend doing a factory reset of your phone. And as your credentials could have been accessed by scammers through the malware, you should reset all your passwords and change your user IDs.

If you spot suspicious activity on your DBS digibank HK account such as unauthorised transactions, call our 24-hours General Banking Enquiry Customer Service Hotline at 2290 8888 / Bogus Calls Enquiry at 2290 8345 to report it immediately.

Why are you seeing this?

If you see this message, it means that screen-sharing or mirroring is taking place on your device. This may be a sign of a malware attack. To safeguard your banking account, access to digibank will be restricted while screen-sharing or mirroring is going on.

What you can do

To restore DBS digibank HK access, you will need to:

Stop screen-sharing if you are doing so
Or find the apps listed in our message to you on DBS digibank HK and delete them from your device.

Why are you seeing this?

If you see this message, it means that your mobile device has the USB/Wireless debugging setting enabled. This potentially allows another person to control your device remotely to monitor your activities and steal sensitive information like your passwords. To safeguard your banking account, access to DBS digibank HK has been restricted.

What you can do

To restore your banking app, you will need to:

Go to Developer options in your device settings and turn off “USB/Wireless debugging” mode
To access Developer options, go to Settings > Developer options > USB/Wireless debugging

Note: The steps to turn off an app’s ‘Accessibility’ may differ by phone model. Please check with your device manufacturer for details.

What if you are not able to locate Developer options in your device settings?

Your Developer options is likely disabled. To enable Developer options and turn off "USB/Wireless debugging" you will need to:

Enable developer option by going to your device Settings > About device > Version > Tap on ‘Build number’ 7 times > Key in device PIN/password > Developer option is now enabled
Disable USB/Wireless debugging by going to device Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Turn off "USB/Wireless” debugging > Disable Developer Options

For more detailed steps on accessing developer options on Android, refer to: Android developer options

Is your device jailbroken or rooted?

What is jailbreak or rooting?

Jailbreaking (for Apple devices) or rooting (for Android devices) means removing the software restrictions put in place by device manufacturers. Some users do this so they can install third-party software from unofficial sources.

Why is jailbreaking or rooting unsafe?

Your device’s manufacturer sets limitations so you can only use software that is verified, safe and legal. By jailbreaking or rooting and downloading unofficial apps, it:

gives malicious apps and their creators, possibly scammers, a back door into your phone and private data
voids the warranty of your device
can damage your device and make it faulty or unstable
weakens your device security
may be illegal if you download software that infringes on copyright laws

What should you do?

You may wish to perform a factory reset on your device. If this does not work, you may need to setup your digibank Mobile on another device which has not been jailbroken or rooted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if you need to make an urgent transaction?

If you need to make an urgent banking transaction, you may visit any of our DBS ATMs or branches where our staff can help you with your requests. Find the nearest branch and their opening hours using our ATM & Branch Locator.

You may also use DBS iBanking on your laptop or desktop. However, only limited services will be available as you will not be able to perform some transactions that require additional authentication. For instance, the adding of new recipients or increasing of your transaction limits.

You are strongly encouraged to secure your mobile device before you continue to perform any banking activity.

Does DBS digibank HK scan your device or collect personal information?

Your privacy matters. Use of the anti-malware tool is limited to the detection of malware activity and security threats. No additional personal data from your device is collected.

Can customers opt out of this security feature?

No. With the rise in malware-related scams and attacks, this is a mandatory security feature that has been put in place to safeguard your banking accounts and monies.

If you do not see the message, does it mean that your device is 100% secure from malware?

While this security feature can detect malware activity with a high degree of accuracy, no security feature is foolproof. As scammers become more sophisticated in their operations, we encourage customers to play their part to form a strong multi-layered defence.

To remain vigilant, be careful of the types of apps you install and the permissions you enable on your phone. Check out our Security Alerts webpage to be aware of the latest security threats.