windows on atm machines

[trc]

does this scare you? if it doesn't, you must be one tough sob ;)

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,60497,00.html

[SeT]

that seems like a really bad idea. scarey enough they use windows on bank servers. ugh... if i get one blue screen im'a shoot the damned thing!

[viperlin]

i would ask what an ATM machine is, but i've seen too many american films so i allready know.

i don't care, we have no "ATM" machines here.
we have cash machines, i asume they are sorta different OS and spec wize and stuff but if we did have microsoft on cash macnines then i just would not use them. simple

[PerfectBlue]

I never wondered what sort of os an ATM is running before.........until i read this it really freaked me out! it's rediculous, as what SeT said, i would shoot that damn thing as well.

[freakmn]

Originally posted by viperlin
i would ask what an ATM machine is, but i've seen too many american films so i allready know.

i don't care, we have no "ATM" machines here.
we have cash machines, i asume they are sorta different OS and spec wize and stuff but if we did have microsoft on cash macnines then i just would not use them. simple

FYI: ATM=Automatic Transaction Machine

It's the same thing as a cash machine.

Side Note: ATM Machine makes no sense (yet everyone says it.) That would mean Automatic Transaction Machine Machine. Just like NIC card and PIN Number...

[viperlin]

oh and cash machines normally run OS/2 in america, not sure about other places could be the same

[Thrasher]

yeah, sorta scary unless (hypathetically of course) you got the BSOD as some of your mon-ay came out and the bank didnt see it...lol
It was really kewl (hypathetically of course).
Just so long as it dont rip YOU off right?

[Satanic Atheist]

Hey guys. Got a couple of real stories here for you about that (formerly dreaded) Blue Screen Of Death...

[BeginTalesOfHorror]

I was attending my Naval Interviews {cue scary music} and we were enjoying meeting eachother {intesify scary music} when all of a sudden.......

SCREAM!!!

I'd run out of money.

Male genitals. You know what I mean.

{cue silence} {all looking at me for beers}

So, there I was, in a pub and with no money. Need a quick ditty around the corner to one such ATM. That was the worst mistake of my life.

You see, that ATM had been infected, nay, CURSED with "The Windows".

"The MICROSOFT Windows."

I offered my card, but it was already there and I was dreading it. I knew it had me. I had seen the... THE...

BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH

I RAN!!!

Into the shop that is. To buy cigarettes and get cash-back. (What were you thinking???)

But... {cue scary music}

I had to go back... past that machine... to the pub...

Needless to say, that's another story, but I made it...

Just...

[/EndTalesOfHorror]

James

[bones996]

I recently discovered that several of our wleding machines & saws are run by windows. Before that I always wondered why they are always breaking down :D . Now if my ATM was running windows I think I would go back to keeping my paycheck in my pocket - at least then I know that I have it & can get it.

[Satanic Atheist]

Side Note: ATM Machine makes no sense (yet everyone says it.)

ATM = Automatic Telling Merchant

ATM Machine = Automatic Telling Merchant Machine...

At least in Scotland. In Wales we just say "Cash Spitter" or "Cash Machine" (lot more formal).

James

EDIT: I guess "Cash Point" is acceptable as well.

[rkwellstead]

I thought it was Automatic Teller Machine originally. Which makes a lot more sense.

[Satanic Atheist]

That's what most people think, and they are probably right, cheers rkwellstead.

I was chatting to a silly old banker at the time and apparently that's what it means.

Then again...

He was probably...

A MERCHANT banker...

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

--------- [Me, flat-lining] -------------------------------------------------------------

[freakmn]

Some might say they are safe, as they are not directly connected to the Internet (at least Hopefully not!) But they are most likely, like almost any computer, on a network with machines that are connected to a network. They are definately on a network with a central server that contains the account information (each ATM can't possibly hold everyone's account information). That account information must be accessed from the tellers at the bank (if you take money out, it has to be updated right away.) The tellers probably have internet access. So, in the example of the blaster worm, which not only spread through the internet, but also through LAN's, your ATM could possibly be infected with some virus. It is possible, in theory, that this virus could simulate a login, capture your account # and password, and withdraw from your account. It has a 99% chance of not happening, but, in theory, it could...

[Satanic Atheist]

GAAGH!!! Does no-one listen to my tales???

As for ATM's, they are connected through TCP/IP links on a private network, routed with secure encryption.

At least, that's the story here in the UK. In America, for example, there could be any number of means...

Basically, the ATM has access to a local server (usually held within the branch). Outside of Scotland, you will not often see an ATM that is not part of a bank's outer wall. (Except private cash machines inside buildings, of course).

Even here in Dundee, where I get off the bus to go to work, there is a cash machine (ATM) on the outside wall to the local newsagents/Chinese take-away.

In the past, ATMs have been hacked, and your PIN is not held on your card. It has to verified with the remote server (this could be your branch server or the master server depending on the current situation).

The usual way of authenticating you is to digitally encrypt BOTH versions of the PIN and perform mathematical calculations on each. If the server asks the client if they match, then the user is (mostly) authentic. If not, they ask again.

There MUST be a way to maintain records against the banking system or you could withdraw more than you ought to.

Isn't it interesting that no-one has cracked an SSH connection that we know of? Is it because they can't?

James

[viperlin]

Originally posted by Satanic Atheist

Isn't it interesting that no-one has cracked an SSH connection that we know of? Is it because they can't?

James [/B]

the closest i've seen to someone breaking an SSH connection is Trinity on The Matrix Reloaded :rolleyes:

and there are exploits for older ssh versions (look out debian users :p )



(ok sorry for the Debian Joke, i do like it but it's sooooo out of date, i know why it uses old software, my personal preference is new so no flames just a joke):eek:

[BaVinic]

My Company owns about 20 ICMs (Independent Cash Machines) and every one of them runs on a modified version of Linux ( not sure what distro).

We have had them for some 5 years ( up and running) and not one of them has ever crashed. Let's see Microsoft make that same claim :D


BaVinic

[andysimmons]

That place you linked to seems to be kind of a doomsday site....

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,59882,00.html

[ozdream]

Originally posted by freakmn
FYI: ATM=Automatic Transaction Machine

It's the same thing as a cash machine.

Side Note: ATM Machine makes no sense (yet everyone says it.) That would mean Automatic Transaction Machine Machine. Just like NIC card and PIN Number...

Never thought of that but you are right, re ATM-M NIC-C et al

[ozdream]

"A Windows platform will give us more flexibility and opportunity for future enhancements," said Julie Davis, spokeswoman for Bank of America, the biggest U.S. bank. "The Windows platform allows us to put even better protections in place. However, we won't discuss the details of our security procedures."


Ya Right!!!! :confused:

[sasKuatch]

Nya.. I've never used an ATM. Don't really see why I should start now. Especially now.

Despite being somewhat a computer geek, and a (Pre) cs major, I rather hate technology.

[jazzback]

A Little Historical Info... Max Headrom was going to be the "Teller for an ATM Machine in the 80's. Due to the echology then the voice would skip. thats why we do not have these AI ATM machines. :cool:

[nouse66]

"They would prefer Windows, a platform they consider "open" in that it is compatible with their internal corporate networks. "

since when does an "open platform" just mean that its common?

[Trogdor]

My cousin works at a big bank . . . programmer . . . spent the last millenium trying to fix teh y2k bug ;) BTW, I am storing all my monies in a tubesock that fell behind the dryer. I don't want some 12-year-old with a 386 running DOS to crack my bank account.

[Exempt]

This is a pic I found somewhere, one of them funny sites (kissmyfloppy.com I think) a while back and added words to it... Figured some of u might find it funny...

http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/ecs/images/BankErr.jpg


Obviously this is how well ATMs run on a Windows box... Scary...:(

[Lemming]

Someone said it's some kind of doomsday site? Look at the two times that both articles were written:
ATM article - 02:00 AM Sep. 19, 2003 PT
Robot article - 02:00 AM Aug. 05, 2003 PT

The writer prolly just came back from getting pissed:)