When will other OS users who do not use Window exploit internet banking service with ease? Although there is not a big result that could be called 'revolution', Korean financial institutions are slowly moving toward freedom from the fetter of Window.

According to a reports published by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) on September 21, the total number of electronic finance subscriber was seventy one million in June 2007. The number increased 3.4% (2.4 million) from the previous quarter. Except a very few numbers, however, most of them is subject to Window, well actually Active X loaded in IE.

Financial Agencies under MS's thumb
Active X is a technology which automatically executes internet application program in users' PC. Despite the fact that this does not work for other OS, it is inevitable for users to use the sites of most financial agencies. That is to say, it becomes impossible to do internet banking without using Window.

Accordingly, Korean financial agencies are vulnerable to the change of MS policy. A prime example is the problem of Active X in Vista.

As the Active X had been used as the source that spreads virus, MS largely decreased Active X's authority in order to strengthen Vista’s security. Following this change, the FSS prevented web sites non-compatible with Vista from doing financial transactions.

The news was a bombshell for financial institutions that had been dependent on the Active X. After all, the government had to convene Economic Policy Adjustment Council to solve this problem.

Non-Window users also have begun to protest. 'Open Web', an organization for web standardization, led by Kim Ki-Chang, a professor of Korea University, has brought action of damage against Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute (KFTC).

However, financial agencies' decision is more important. If they continue to adhere to Active X-centered policy, the discontent of few non-Window users won't be disappeared.

Though it is burdensome to establish systems for non-Window users who are less than 1%, the problem of discrimination on the minority must be the point to see. In the industry, many believe that if financial agencies first accept non-Window users, the number of non-Window users will be increased.

Shinhan Bank and Nonghyup support minor OS
In this situation, Shinhan Bank and Nonghyup have become the centre of public attention because of their efforts to be out of Window's monopoly. They have been pointed out as leading cases.

Since 2005, Shinhan Bank has provided 'EzPlus 2.0 for Mac', which is the internet banking service for Mac OS users, in cooperation with Apple. Though this service is only for some two hundred thousand Mac users, it could be regarded as the inception to expand online financial OS.

Nonghyup has begun to provide internet banking service for Linux users since 2006. It is possible by installing a separate middleware in the Linux PC in order to access Nonghyup internet banking site. The logic is based on the introduction of a program functioning Active X emulation into Linux OS.

Choi Seung-Wok, the leader of Nonghyup's e-finance team, said, "we considered more about publicity and the right of choice than about the gain of new customers."

According to Suh Young-Joon, a member of Linux user assembly, "I opened my account immediately after Nonghyup introduced Linux internet banking system."

'Licensed certificate' for Linux users
Financial security services for non-Window users have been brought to market as well. Soft-Forum and Initech have operated internet banking 'licensed certificate' service for Linux users since 2005.

In particular, Soft-Forum is actively groping for expanding its services to Firefox and Netscape

Lee Soon-Hyung, an executive director of Soft-Forum, said, "Linux or Mac OS users directly asked for service development. Users no matter how small must be benefited from service diversification."