In the wake of attacks on Israeli websites by hackers, Israel Discount Bank (TASE: DSCT) and First International Bank of Israel (TASE:FTIN1; FTIN5) have blocked access to their websites from overseas. Earlier today hackers managed to down the sites of El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE: ELAL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, while last week Saudi hacker OxOmar published details of hundreds of Israeli credit cards.
Sources also inform "Globes" that the Bank of Israel has seen these latest measures as a logical step in the current situation. Israelis living abroad are likely to be hit by these measures given that they will no longer have access to their accounts via the web.
First International Bank declined to comment on the report and added that the bank operates according to recommendations from data security experts and operates sophisticated means to maximize security on its website.
Discount Bank was willing to comment on its blocking access saying, "This is a temporary blocking of the website. From time to time we will re-assess the situation and act accordingly. The bank's customers can still contact out telephone call center."
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 16, 2012
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