But because bank transactions take place on private networks rather than the public Internet, they've long been assumed to be safe.

FORBES: Hacking Capitalism

Short sellers were doing well, especially those touting their insights on the financial networks, dousing China banks like the behemoth Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ( HKG: 1398) with nothing but bad news of their eminent demise.

FORBES: At Touchstone, Right Call On China