Issues with my bank's software

[kimmer]

Aargh. I don't know how to deal with this. My credit union just did an upgrade, and as far as I can tell the only "upgrade" is that I have a different log-in method, and it looks prettier.    I still see these annoying frames (I think this is what is going on). Anyhow, the bill pay page looks like what you see below--which is the same as it's always been. I've tried both Safari and Chrome, but haven't tried Firefox yet (and since it's my last choice as a browser, I'm not inclined to have to launch it to do all my online banking.)

Since I now see the option that said if you have a problem click here to launch this in a separate window, I decided to try that by clicking the Launch SSO button. That gave me a notification that said

Your bill pay session has opened in a new window. Launch a new SSO session at any time by pressing the button below

The same Launch SSO button is sitting there.

I do not get a new window. All I get is the blank page with the above notice.

I suppose I could spend an hour on hold for the IT guy, but because I've done this before I already know what he'll say, "We don't support Macs." He will be on the verge of rude and nasty, and he'll be impatient to get on to someone else. If I point out that they support iPads and iPhones, so they do support Apple products, and they should also support desktop Macs, he does get surly and if I push he hangs up. Trying to get to his boss is next to impossible. My plan is to move my banking after the first of the year, but I need to deal with all of this before that, and if anyone has any suggestions on how to make this work, I'd really appreciate it.

Is there perhaps a setting in Safari I might change, or an extension that would help Safari work with the frames? Same questions for Chrome, as I'd modify it to work if possible.

[Xairbusdriver]

First, please give me your bank account number and password. I'll see what happens here.

Second, do you have any ad-blocking extensions? If you do, try turning them off and refresh the page (be sure to empty the Safari cache before refreshing, that might also help.

If you do call, it might also help to ask what "Launch SSO" refers to.

I'm not sure Safari does anything to block frames, there are still some shady sites that get around paying for content by loading the normally-pay-to-use stuff in a frame.

I think macOS 10.13 High Sierra is now up to version 10.13.6. Do you actually have that version?

Lastly, take a look at the html with the Safari->Develop->Show Web Inspector or Show Web Source. You don't have to read the html or javascript, but you should be able to see some useful details. You can search for "frames" and tell whether those are actually in use. You can get basically the same behavior you are looking at with just CSS, so there may not be any frames at all.

Oh yeah, in the Develop window, try searching for "bootstrap". There are disclosure arrows on the major part of the page, click the right-pointing arrow next to "head".

Second lastly, have you tried making the Safari window full-screen or at least nearly that wide?

[kimmer]

First, please give me your bank account number and password. I'll see what happens here.

Yeah, in your dreams.

Second, do you have any ad-blocking extensions?

Good call on ad blocker. I had it turned off, but one of the recent upgrades changed my white list. So, I whitelisted the bank and now I have FLASHING ad encouraging me to sign up for a credit card. Everything else looks the same.

I think macOS 10.13 High Sierra is now up to version 10.13.6. Do you actually have that version?

I’m running 10.13.6 and Safari 12.0.1, which to my knowledge is the latest version as it was installed just a few days ago.

If you do call, it might also help to ask what "Launch SSO" refers to.

On my list for Monday. I can’t take talking to this guy over the weekend. I'll also file a complaint about the flashing ad, not that it will do any good.

Lastly, take a look at the html with the Safari->Develop->Show Web Inspector or Show Web Source. You don't have to read the html or javascript, but you should be able to see some useful details. You can search for "frames" and tell whether those are actually in use. You can get basically the same behavior you are looking at with just CSS, so there may not be any frames at all.

Oh yeah, in the Develop window, try searching for "bootstrap". There are disclosure arrows on the major part of the page, click the right-pointing arrow next to "head”.

I found loads of “frames” and “bootstrap”. I didn’t see any arrows on the page when I searched for bootstrap.

Second lastly, have you tried making the Safari window full-screen or at least nearly that wide?

It is full screen.

I did discover that they are using Alkami software if that helps.

[Xairbusdriver]

The company operates a network of servers around the world and rents out capacity on these servers to customers who want their websites to work faster by distributing content from locations close to the user. When a user navigates to the URL of an Akamai customer, their browser is redirected to one of Akamai's copies of the website.

This makes it extremely handy for tracking your customers... Not sure why a bank would want to trust a third-party to handle security... even if it is a major corporation.

As for the "arrows", the marked up Screen Shot (only, no image editor needed!) image below to show what I was referring to. Sorry, I failed to translate my southern red-neck English to left-coast verbiage. :hb:

I've been using uBlock Origin and it makes it easy to turn it Off/On to see if that is what may be where the interweb junque is the problem. It even includes a refresh icon right in the drop down window.

[kimmer]

The company operates a network of servers around the world and rents out capacity on these servers to customers who want their websites to work faster by distributing content from locations close to the user. When a user navigates to the URL of an Akamai customer, their browser is redirected to one of Akamai's copies of the website.

This makes it extremely handy for tracking your customers... Not sure why a bank would want to trust a third-party to handle security... even if it is a major corporation.

It's Alkami, not Akamai; and they make online banking software. However, their site is not reachable due to issues, which doesn't inspire me right now. 

As for the "arrows", the marked up Screen Shot (only, no image editor needed!) image below to show what I was referring to. Sorry, I failed to translate my southern red-neck English to left-coast verbiage. :hb:

I did click that arrow and saw nothing there of concern. I'll log back in tomorrow and take another look and get back to you.

[krissel]

Do you have any settings selected in your browsers that won't allow "third party cookies" as it mentions?

I usually check the boxes that don't allow cookies from "unvisited websites". That would cause problems for you at your bank if you have similar settings in your browsers.

[daryl66]

Kim:  I am dealing with a similar sounding situation with a very senior friend who I try to support. In her case the bank finally got her to someone knowledgeable about Mac. Turns out the bank now requires Safari 12 to work.  El Capitan does not support 12 so I am en route today to try and get her current, at least up to High Sierra and Safari 12. 

Daryl

[daryl66]

Fugggetabtit:  Just read the entire post.  "You already been there done that."

Daryl 

[kimmer]

Do you have any settings selected in your browsers that won't allow "third party cookies" as it mentions?

I usually check the boxes that don't allow cookies from "unvisited websites". That would cause problems for you at your bank if you have similar settings in your browsers.

CLOSE! but good enough to solve the problem.

I used to have that setting on "third party cookies", but I cannot find it in the version of Safari that I'm running (and I never set it in Chrome). However .... I found this at Apple:

By default, Safari accepts cookies and website data only from websites you visit. This helps prevent certain advertisers from storing data on your Mac.

So Apple does it by default, and I never did find a way to undo the setting. Supposedly it's in Safari > Preferences, click Privacy, then click Always block cookies: Select “Block all cookies” and there used to be a drop down menu. However, I don't have that option in the Safari version I'm currently running. 

BUT, all this poking around I saw Safari > Settings for This Website and clicked it. (Notice that you must be at the web site in question in order to change this setting, there is no universal setting that I can find.) Up popped a little window with some options. I deselected "Enable Content Blockers" and changed "Allow Pop Up Windows" to allow. That did the trick. Now my bill pay window opens in a separate window, NO FRAMES, and easy to navigate and use. (I’m attaching a screen cap so others can see this pref window).

THANK YOU ALL for your patience in helping me solve this. Now, should I call the grumpy IT guy and 'splain this to him (I won't call him Lucy -haha)? Nah. He won't care and he won't understand.

[Xairbusdriver]

Looks like the Safari Privacy settings in Mojave macOS 10.14 are the same as in macOS 10.13 High Sierra running Safari 12. At least you can remove stuff from any site that has stored info without having to actually visit the site. (See attached image)

Can't say I've ever looked at the "Settings for This Website" prefs.

[Paddy]

Glad you were able to sort it out, Kim. I did look to see what the code looked like and found the designer of the site - a small(ish) outfit with their own CMS. https://www.in10sity.net/

The fact that the bank's IT person is so unhelpful, is appalling - and websites should be platform/browser agnostic if designed well. You shouldn't really have to jump through a lot of hoops!

Yeah - I'd be off to another bank, if I were you. We liked the OSU credit union when we were living in Corvallis - they were way ahead of everyone else getting online banking in the early 90s. No idea if they're good, bad or indifferent now - but pretty much anyone who lives in western or central OR can now join. https://www.oregonstatecu.com/become-a-member

[kimmer]

Glad you were able to sort it out, Kim. I did look to see what the code looked like and found the designer of the site - a small(ish) outfit with their own CMS. https://www.in10sity.net/

The fact that the bank's IT person is so unhelpful, is appalling - and websites should be platform/browser agnostic if designed well. You shouldn't really have to jump through a lot of hoops!

Yeah - I'd be off to another bank, if I were you. We liked the OSU credit union when we were living in Corvallis - they were way ahead of everyone else getting online banking in the early 90s. No idea if they're good, bad or indifferent now - but pretty much anyone who lives in western or central OR can now join. https://www.oregonstatecu.com/become-a-member

Thanks for the info on the site designer. There's an OSU branch just a block from my current credit union. I've heard good things about them, and even visited a branch in Albany when I was unexpectedly stuck over there and out of cash. They were very nice to deal with. I'll consider them as well as this one local bank, whose main advantage is they are in my town, so no 32 mile drive to get cash.

[Xairbusdriver]

CASH?!!! They still use cash out your way?!!! Next thing you'll be trying to convince me you even use quarters and dimes!

[kimmer]

CASH?!!! They still use cash out your way?!!! Next thing you'll be trying to convince me you even use quarters and dimes!

Two quarters make a tip to the barista at the drive up coffee shop. Yes, even in my rural area we have those.