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Australian online traders' vulnerability exposed

Internet security concerns and fears over computer hacking have prompted Australia's largest online broker CommSec to tighten up its security measures.

This follows the exposure of security vulnerabilities on the firm's website by the Herald Sun, which revealed that had hackers compromised the online security of the system, they could have had access to members' personal details.

CommSec has nearly two million customers and the news has prompted the company to advise members to change their log in details, notably to put in place stronger passwords.

According to a Melbourne-based computer programmer who allegedly stumbled upon the flaw, any computer savvy teenager with basic knowledge could have been able to access the accounts, the Herald Sun reported.

However, when he contacted the company to notify it of the flaw on two occasions, his warnings were ignored, prompting him to contact the newspaper.

"They should follow up on anything related to a security complaint from anyone - customer or not," the programmer is quoted by the paper as stating.

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