Sm@rt-TAN plus / mobileTAN – Questions and answers

1. How to use mobileTAN

  1. Log into your e-banking with the VR-Netkey and PIN or the alias and PIN.
  2. Enter the planned transaction.
  3. Click onto “Verify input” which will trigger the request for a mobileTAN.
  4. A few seconds later you will receive a text message with the required TAN.
  5. To provide a way of control, the text message will also contain the recipient’s account number and the amount of the transaction.
  6. Enter the mobileTAN in the respective input field of the transaction and confirm by clicking “OK”.

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2. FAQ mobileTAN

1. What is mobileTAN? 

mobileTAN (mTAN) is short for mobile transaction number. When using mobileTAN, a TAN is sent to you via text message in order to verify a transaction. You then have to enter this number in your online banking portal. 

This mobileTAN is exceptionally secure with regard to tapping and interception attempts.

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2. Why was mobileTAN developed? 

In the light of evolving methods of attack, the security of online banking is an aspect of ever growing importance. It is the goal of the attacks to carry out transactions at the expense of the client. In order to further increase online banking security standards, we offer mobileTAN for our online banking.

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3. What are the prerequisites? 

You will need a VR-Netkey and a mobile phone that can receive text messages within the German mobile phone network.

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4. How do I register for mobileTAN?

  1. You or your customer advisor registers your mobile phone for mobileTAN.
  2. You will receive, by mail or as printed out by your advisor, an activation key to activate your mobile phone number. 
  3. You can activate your mobile phone in your e-banking using this key.

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5. What does it cost? 

mobileTAN is free of charge. We will bear the costs of any text message charges.

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6. Why is mobileTAN currently secure against all possible attacks?

  • Any mobileTAN is only valid for a specific transaction, e.g. a single transfer, and cannot be used for any other purpose.
  • The change of medium (from the computer to the mobile phone) provides additional security. 
  • You receive a text message with your TAN on a mobile device after only a few seconds.
  • For extra security, you can match the recipient’s details contained in the text message with your online inputs.

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7. Which mobile phones are suitable for mobileTAN?

Any common mobile phone that can receive text messages and is operated on a German network service is suitable. Foreign network operators are not supported. Message delivery abroad is made possible by international roaming.

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8. How long does it take for a text message to arrive?

Text messages for mobileTAN are dispatched centrally from our data processing center. Sending has the highest priority and is executed within one or two seconds.

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9. Can a fixed landline be used for mobileTAN?

No, for security reasons we do not support fixed landline devices. Because of redirection of the phone number, e.g. due to holiday absence, the text message is not guaranteed to arrive on the device which is activated and authorised in the online banking portal.

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10. Can I use mobileTAN parallel to the other systems?

No. With the exception of EBICS, simultaneous usage is not intended.

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11. What do I need to keep in mind if I use mobileTAN with a smart phone?

For those using online banking applications via the smart phone, Sm@rt-TAN plus is the only secure TAN method. Please do not under any circumstances combine mobileTAN with a banking app on your smart phone.

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3. How to use Sm@rt-TAN plus (as a TAN generator)

  1. Log into your e-banking using the VR-Netkey and PIN or the alias and PIN.
  2. Enter the planned transaction.
  3. Click “Confirm with Sm@rt-TAN plus” and then “Verify input”.
  4. Insert your BankCard into the TAN generator and press the button “TAN”.
  5. Enter the start-up code and press the OK button.
  6. Check the information in the display of the TAN generator and press the OK button.
  7. Enter the recipient’s account number and press the OK button.
  8. Enter the recipient’s bank sort code (BLZ) and press the OK button.
  9. Enter the amount to be transferred and press the OK button.
  10. Enter the TAN shown in the display of the TAN generator into the TAN field of the transaction and confirm by clicking “OK”.

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4. FAQ Sm@art-TAN plus

1. What is Sm@rt-TAN plus?

Using a TAN generator, Sm@rt-TAN plus generates a TAN for every transaction which is only valid for that particular transaction. You enter this TAN in your e-banking.

This mobileTAN is exceptionally secure with regard to tapping and interception attempts.

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2. Why was Sm@rt-TAN plus developed?

In the light of evolving methods of attack, security of online banking is an aspect of ever growing importance. It is the goal of the attacks to carry out transactions at the expense of the client. In order to further increase online banking security standards, we offer Sm@art-TAN plus for our online banking.

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3. Why is Sm@rt-TAN plus so secure?

  • The transaction-specific TAN is generated on the chip of your BankCard. This way, phishing of a TAN is no longer possible.
  • The TAN generator needs no external power supply. It can be used for five years.
  • Since the generated TAN can only ever be used with the corresponding order, possible attackers could not use it for another order even if they do manage to tap into a data transfer.
  • It is not necessary to install any driver software.

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4. What are the prerequisites?

You will need a VR-Netkey, a BankCard and a TAN generator with the specification HHD 1.4. If you already possess a TAN generator, please check the release version. You should find this information on the back of the device.

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5. Where can I purchase a TAN generator?

You can purchase a suitable TAN generator from us directly.

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6. What does a TAN generator cost?

The TAN generator costs EUR 15.00. We can ship it straight to your home address without any additional costs.

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7. How do I register for Sm@rt-TAN plus?

  1. Log into your e-banking using your VR-Netkey and PIN or alias and PIN.
  2. In the menu, select “Administration”.
  3. Select your BankCard.
  4. Enter the number of your card reader, for the TAN generators provided by us this will be “1A440002183D”. For other devices please follow the instructions on your screen to determine the type number.
  5. Read the special conditions and tick the box.
  6. Click “Verify input”.
  7. You will be prompted for the first Sm@rt-TAN plus. Enter the TAN from your TAN generator and confirm by clicking “OK”.

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8. Can I also use the TAN generator with other banks? 

Yes. Since our TAN generator supports the current specification HHD 1.4, it is equally compatible with the procedures of any other banks which use the same or older versions.

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9. Can I use Sm@rt-TAN plus parallel to other systems?

No. With the exception of EBICS, simultaneous usage is not intended.

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10. Can I combine the system with online banking software? 

Yes. Sm@rt-TAN plus supports: 

  • StarMoney from Version 7.0 ServicePack 6
  • StarMoney Business from Version 4.0 ServicePack 6
  • Moneyplex from Version 2011
  • MacGiro from Version 6.5
  • Profi cash from Version 9.6
  • Alf Banco from Version 2.2.4
  • T-Online online banking from Version 6.04.003
  • Quicken from Version 2008
  • SFirm from Version 2.0k SP1 Patchlevel 2
  • WISO Mein Geld with DDBAC Version 4.0.14.0
  • Windata with DDBAC Version 4.0.14.0


Other programs: please ask the program manufacturer whether Sm@rt-TAN plus (HHD 1.4 / HKTAN 5) is possible.

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