
It looks like those "security" PINs that banks give us specifically to ensure our money isn't stolen are not as secure as we'd hoped. Citibank ATMs inside a number of California 7-Eleven stores were hacked, giving crooks access to PIN codes to many Citibank customers, according to an Associated Press report.
According to the AP hackers exploited a weakness in the ATM network giving crooks access to PIN codes that were not being properly encrypted. At fault, according to the AP report, is Microsoft software used by ATM operators who use a version of Windows on machines. The advantage of a Windows OS is that it more easily allows the ATMs to be diagnosed and repaired remotely. The downside, it appears, is Window's vulnerabilities.
It's important to note Citibank does not actually operate its satellite ATMs in 7-Eleven stores. Instead third-party companies Cardtronics and Fiserv manage 7-Eleven ATMs. Both companies have said to be cooperating with an investigation into the matter.
(photo credit Rainforest Action Network via Flickr)
Cardtronics and Fiserv, need to take some blame her, all windows users know that windows has vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. Other card machine vendors have addressed this; it?s just laziness on their part wafting for someone to hack it before they address the issues. The same kind of laziness that it takes to quickly point to Microsoft and say "It's there fault..." and give unspecified reasons as an excuse? Sorry guys, everyone has already used this excuse, 7 Eleven and Citibank and their customer would be smart to take action against these vendors? ? I dislike M$, but I hate people who blame others for the failures.