Hacker News

points by thaumasiotes 1 day ago | 0 comments

> Over and over again you have to contend with bullshit like 120MB APKs full of obfuscated code, root detection, custom firmware detection, "non-mainstream device" detection, VPN detection, and even more obscure spyware-flavored functionality.

I keep seeing people say this, and it keeps being true that you can just go to your bank's website and do whatever it is you want to do.

[–] pepperoni_pizza 1 day ago

Not any more.

Most European banks either don't have a web banking at all, or require a mobile app to log into it. There are exceptions but they are rare and becoming even rarer.

[–] no-name-here 1 day ago

In Thailand pretty much all of the banks are shutting down their websites. App only, typically requiring visiting a branch to register the app on your phone, blocking screenshots, and often blocking vpn or 1.1.1.1 access. :-(

[–] Muromec 1 day ago

Thai banks at least have the fully staffed branches in every mall . European banks don't anymore

[–] hod6654 1 day ago

Do you mean they block you if you use 1.1.1.1 as your domain resolver??

[–] hexo 1 day ago

That's good time to switch.

[–] aembleton 1 day ago

> it keeps being true that you can just go to your bank's website and do whatever it is you want to do.

Not all banks. Monzo doesn't have banking through the website, and I doubt they're the only ones.

[–] stevedh 1 day ago

I just looked and apparently they do have a user API. It looks like it covers a lot of the functionality of the app.

https://docs.monzo.com/#introduction

[–] antonvs 1 day ago

That's true for personal accounts. Monzo business accounts can be managed through their website (with authentication via mobile device).

[–] doublesocket 1 day ago

Well that's not really true. There's most definitely functionality that is only available in the app. If I want to make a payment without having to dig a card reader out every single time, I absolutely have to use my bank's app.

[–] Markoff 1 day ago

> "Well that's not really true. There's most definitely functionality that is only available in the app. If I want to make a payment without having to dig a card reader out every single time, I absolutely have to use my bank's app."

Maybe not for you, but you don't know his bank. Obviously I can't pay with my phone if I sit at my computer and use online banking in browser, so obviously payment with phone app won't work if I use browser on phone, for all other online banking functionality there is no benefit in the app, all of my 3 banks I regularly use don't require any card reader or even smartphone, all I need is any phone being able to receive SMS with 2FA codes, if my bank required app to use online banking I would just stop using their services. I am not going to bother with app in the phone while sitting at computer with 32" display and proper keyboard.

[–] doublesocket 1 day ago

The parent commenter was implying anyone can just go to their banks website, I'm pointing out that in the case of my bank there is valuable functionality locked in the app and I'm sure it's not the only one.

[–] dingaling 1 day ago

So you have to use the other option if you can't be motivated to use the first option? Seems more damning on you than the bank...

[–] doublesocket 10 hours ago

I don't think you understand how much faff is involved using the card reader for every single payment. Make multiple payments a day and that becomes incredibly time consuming and tedious. As I said, the app does away with this.

[–] Telaneo 1 day ago

My bank doesn't have a website I can log into.

[–] ThePowerOfFuet 1 day ago

Sounds like you know what to do, then.

[–] Telaneo 1 day ago

There are no reasonable banks to switch to that have a website. The last good one got bought up in 2022. All the ones that are left have been a horrible experience to use.

[–] Muromec 20 hours ago

You need an app to login to the website. Then they say nobody uses the website

[–] ferfumarma 1 day ago

But not with a VPN. Hackers might use a VPN.

[–] thaumasiotes 1 day ago

Still false.

[–] subscribed 1 day ago

As a rule of thumb that's a false (obsolete) statement.

[–] wtch98 1 day ago

I've used smile since 2004. It has an app which is fine, or I use the webpage which has more choice. I used HSBC before then which had a web interface, I vaguely remember natwest had special software for computer banking in the 90s, that might have been business accounts only, and potentially even was dialing direct to their systems rather than via the internet.

There are app only banks, you make your choice and you pay your price.