Contact us today!
866-348-2602

Total Tech Care Blog

Total Tech Care has been serving Florida since 2001, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Swipe With Care: Your ATM Might Be Controlled By A Hacker

Swipe With Care: Your ATM Might Be Controlled By A Hacker

One of the most enticing credentials that hackers desire is your credit card number, along with its expiration date and the code on the back. Hackers are also willing to go great lengths to achieve their goal of stealing these credentials, even so far as to make physical changes to automatic teller machines (ATMs) to do so. In fact, hackers will often install skimming devices on ATMs that are so subtle that they can be difficult to detect.

Take, for example, this news article from July 2017 that showcases a rather specific case of ATM skimming. The device in question simply slips over the ATM card reader in a discreet way to give the user the impression that they are using a legitimate machine. Any unsuspecting user could accidentally throw their credentials right to a hacker.

Furthermore, there have been cases of hackers implementing custom hardware into ATMs designed to harvest credentials. These devices are often installed onto ATMs so that they can wirelessly transmit credentials, to perpetrators lurking nearby. Either way, the result is the same; stolen credentials and upset victims.

Imagine waking up, checking your bank account, and noticing that you’re missing the entirety of your checking account balance. Or, even worse, finding out that your account has sunk into the red because someone in a foreign country has purchased your information and used it for their own purposes. How can you keep this from happening to you? The easiest way is to be wary of ATM skimmers in the first place. You should keep the following in mind when using an ATM.

  • Cameras surrounding the machine: If you are in an area where there are plenty of cameras, there will be less of a chance that the ATM will have been tampered with. In fact, most ATMs actually have built-in cameras, but it helps to have some extra caution to take a look around whenever you want to use one.
  • Tampering with the device: Examine the device before you use it. Are there any issues with the way it looks? Are any faceplates removed or devices plugged into it? If there are, you know that it’s not a machine that you can trust.
  • Additional “testing”: Before you insert your card into the device, try jostling the slot to see if it’s something that was artificially placed over the actual reader. Carefully inspect the machine before you insert your card. Spending a few moments to check the device before using it can save you a whole lot of pain in the long run.

What are your thoughts on ATM skimmers? Are you confident that you can identify one that has been tampered with? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Wednesday, 02 April 2025
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Blog Archive

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

  • First Name *
  • Last Name *

      Free Consultation

      Sign up today for a
      FREE Network Consultation

      How secure is your IT infrastructure?
      Let us evaluate it for free!

      Sign up Now!

      Free Consultation
       

      Tag Cloud

      Security Tip of the Week Technology Best Practices Business Computing Cloud Privacy Hackers Productivity Hosted Solutions Software Efficiency Network Security Google Business Internet Microsoft Email Malware Backup Workplace Tips Innovation User Tips Data Computer Mobile Devices IT Services Hardware Android VoIP Disaster Recovery communications IT Support Smartphones Communication Business Continuity Miscellaneous Smartphone Mobile Device Browser Small Business Network Collaboration Productivity Cybersecurity Quick Tips Users Business Management Managed IT Services Windows Upgrade Phishing Outsourced IT Data Backup Ransomware Windows 10 Data Recovery Office Cloud Computing Server Save Money Passwords Windows 10 Chrome Virtualization Social Media Saving Money Holiday Gadgets Tech Term Microsoft Office Automation Managed IT Services Managed Service Operating System Facebook Computers Cybercrime Artificial Intelligence Hacking BYOD Internet of Things Health Mobile Device Management Networking IT Support Wi-Fi Covid-19 Office 365 Telephone Systems Information Technology Information Remote Alert Managed Service Provider Spam Social Engineering Mobility Router Recovery Employer-Employee Relationship BDR Bandwidth Big Data Money Encryption App Applications History Data Breach Mobile Computing Law Enforcement Application Human Resources Remote Monitoring Password Apps Data Storage Patch Management Office Tips Training Blockchain VPN Government Paperless Office Private Cloud How To Remote Computing Managed IT Mobile Office Vulnerability Windows 7 Word Flexibility Wireless Google Drive Servers Marketing WiFi IT solutions Gmail Entertainment Website Avoiding Downtime Budget Settings Data Security Two-factor Authentication Infrastructure Voice over Internet Protocol Mouse Bring Your Own Device HaaS Data Management Work/Life Balance Meetings Conferencing Data Protection End of Support Scam Employee/Employer Relationship Risk Management Education Physical Security RMM Hacker Safety HIPAA Sports The Internet of Things Redundancy Vendor Management Lithium-ion battery Keyboard Staff Software as a Service Telephone System USB Firewall Machine Learning Connectivity Remote Work Virtual Reality Apple Save Time Social Vendor User Error Managed Services Cleaning Display Remote Worker Wearable Technology Processor Hard Drives Cryptocurrency Retail Battery Business Intelligence Instant Messaging Robot Hard Drive Excel Shadow IT Virus Worker Legal Audit IT Management Biometrics Comparison Virtual Desktop Unified Threat Management Internet Exlporer Computer Accessories CES Botnet Computing IT Plan DDoS PDF Content Management Business Technology SharePoint Unsupported Software Access Control Proactive IT Printer Digital Signage Charger Virtual Assistant Bluetooth Authentication Best Practice Compliance Customer Service YouTube OneNote Environment Black Market Computer Care Current Events Telephony Fax Server Procurement Net Neutrality Samsung Update Workplace Strategy IT Consultant Document Management Help Desk SaaS Solid State Drive Wireless Technology How to Printing Downtime Value Google Docs Humor Identity Theft Electronic Medical Records Spam Blocking Network Congestion Data storage eWaste Automobile Managed Services Provider Hiring/Firing Augmented Reality Database Computing Infrastructure Fraud Going Green Remote Workers IT Assessment Smart Tech Cost Management Reputation Manufacturing Assessment Trending Streaming Media Email Best Practices WIndows 7 Content Windows Server 2008 Addiction Social Networking Amazon Tech Support Recycling Laptop Security Cameras Computer Tips Tools Techology Managed IT Service Wiring OneDrive Practices Customers Biometric Security Television Virtual CIO Running Cable Audiobook Peripheral Cache Amazon Web Services Criminal Memory Touchpad Digital Security Cameras Safe Mode Using Data User GDPR Copiers PowerPoint Hosted Computing 5G Public Computer Windows Media Player Politics Quick Tip Regulations Wireless Internet Advertising Online Shopping Transportation Computer Fan Smartwatch Rootkit Ergonomics File Sharing Managing Stress Camera Development Inventory OLED Specifications Notifications Benefits PCI DSS Wire Virtual Machine Workers Evernote Science FENG Cameras Employee Travel 2FA Fiber Optics Printers Messaging Relocation Cabling IBM Millennials Smart Technology Distributed Denial of Service Policy Flash Smart Office Customer Relationship Management Hypervisor Wireless Charging Analyitcs Dark mode Video Games Trend Micro Virtual Private Network Worker Commute SMS Software Tips Programming Default App Supercomputer Workforce Experience Procedure Sync Saving Time Emails Cables Shopping Printer Server Google Search dark theme Scalability Project Management Antivirus Business Owner AI Nanotechnology IT Infrastructure Telecommuting Bing Two Factor Authentication FinTech Netflix Cortana Windows 8 NarrowBand Social Network Root Cause Analysis Digital Signature IT service Search Warranty HBO iPhone Investment Knowledge Music Employees Skype HVAC Employee/Employer Relationships Google Apps Tablet Data loss Analysis ISP Windows 365 Domains Administrator Video Conferencing Outlook Devices Files ROI Leadership Troubleshooting Chromecast Shortcuts IaaS Sales Start Menu Enterprise Content Management Maintenance Bitcoin Personal Screen Mirroring Accountants Bloatware Cryptomining Loyalty Point of Sale MSP Microchip Supply Chain Management Frequently Asked Questions Thought Leadership Colocation Credit Cards Uninterrupted Power Supply Books Tablets Monitoring Mobile Consultant Password Management Batteries Windows 10s Password Manager Digitize Cast Analytics Entrepreneur Monitor Multi-Factor Security Windows 8.1 Search Engine Tip of the week Twitter Windows Server 2008 R2 webinar Emergency Business Mangement Employer Employee Relationship Customer relationships Professional Services Best Available NIST Shortcut Public Cloud

      Top Blog

      The reasoning for this is simple: you want to make sure that operations are proceeding as intended, even if you’re not there. If you completely check out from the workplace every time you leave, you could return from your vacation to a complete and total disaster that may have been prevented with y...
      QR-Code