Automated teller machines (ATMs) are targets for fraud, robberies and other security breaches. In the past, the main purpose of ATMs was to deliver cash in the form of banknotes, and to debit a corresponding bank account. However, ATMs are becoming more complicated and they now serve numerous functions, thus becoming a high priority target for robbers and hackers.
Modern ATMs are implemented with high-security protection measures. They work under complex systems and networks to perform transactions. The data processed by ATMs are usually encrypted, but hackers can employ discreet hacking devices to hack accounts and withdraw the account's balance. As an alternative, unskilled robbers threaten bank patrons with a weapon to loot their withdrawn money or account.
ATM vandals can either physically tamper with the ATM to obtain cash, or employ credit card skimming methods to acquire control of the user's credit card account. Credit card fraud can be done by inserting discreet skimming devices over the keypad or credit card reader. The alternative way to credit card fraud is to identify the PIN directly with devices such as cameras concealed near the keypad.
The validation of on-line PIN occurs if the terminal in question is connected to the central database. The PIN supplied by the customer is always compared with the recorded reference PIN in the financial institutions. However, one disadvantage is that any malfunction of the network renders the ATM unusable until it is fixed.
In off-line PIN validation, the ATM is not connected to the central database. A condition for off-line PIN validation is that the ATM should be able to compare the customer's entered PIN against the PIN of reference. the terminal must be able to perform cryptographic operations and it must have the required encryption keys at its disposal.
The offline validation scheme is extremely slow and inefficient. Offline PIN validation is now obsolete, as the ATMs are connected to the central server over protected networks.
There are three PIN procedures for the operation of a high-security interchange transaction. The supplied PIN is encrypted at the entry terminal, during this step, a secret cryptographic key is used. In addition to other transaction elements, the encrypted PIN is transmitted to the acquirer's system. Then, the encrypted PIN is routed from the acquirer's system to a hardware security module. Within it, the PIN is decrypted. With a cryptographic key used for interchange, the decrypted key is immediately re-encrypted and is routed to the issuer's system over normal communications channels. Lastly, the routed PIN is decrypted in the issuer's security module and then validated on the basis of the techniques for on-line local PIN validation.
There are different transaction methods used in shared ATMs with regards to the encipherment of PIN, and message authentication among them is so-called "zone encryption". In this method, a trusted authority is appointed to operate on behalf of a group of banks so they could interchange messages for ATM payment approvals. [1]
For successful communication between banks and ATMs, the incorporation of a cryptographic module, usually called a security module is a critical component in maintaining proper connections between banks and the machines. The security module is designed to be tamper resistant. [2] The security module performs a plethora of functions, and among them is PIN verification, PIN translation in interchange, key management and message authentication. The use of PIN in interchanges is causing concerns in security as the PIN can be translated by the security module to the format used for interchange. Moreover, the security module is to generate, protect and maintaining all keys associated with the user's network. [3]
The personal verification process begins with the user's supply of personal verification information. This information includes a PIN and the provided customer's information which is recorded on the bank account. In cases where there is a storage of a cryptographic key on the bank card, it is called a personal key (PK). Personal identification processes can be done by the authentication parameter (AP). It is capable of operating in two ways. The first option is where an AP can be time-invariant. The second option is where an AP can be time-variant. There is the case where there is an IP which is based on both time-variant information and on the transaction request message. In such a case where an AP can be used as a message authentication code (MAC), the use of message authentication is made recourse to find out stale or bogus messages which might be routed both into the communication path and the detection of modified messages which are fraudulent and which can traverse non-secure communication systems. In such cases, the AP serves two purposes.
Security breaches in electronic funds transfer systems can be done without delimiting their components. Electronic funds transfer systems have three components; which are communication links, computers, and terminals (ATMs). First, communication links are prone to attacks. Data can be exposed by passive means or direct means where a device is inserted to retrieve the data. The second component is computer security. There are different techniques that can be used to acquire access to a computer such as accessing it via a remote terminal or other peripheral devices such as the card reader. The hacker had gained unauthorized access to the system, so programs or data can be manipulated and altered by the hacker. Terminal security is a significant component in cases where cipher keys reside in terminals. In the absence of physical security, an abuser may probe for a key that substitutes its value. [4]
An authenticator is a means used to confirm a user's identity, that is, to perform digital authentication. A person authenticates to a computer system or application by demonstrating that he or she has possession and control of an authenticator. In the simplest case, the authenticator is a common password.
An automated teller machine (ATM) is an electronic telecommunications device that enables customers of financial institutions to perform financial transactions, such as cash withdrawals, deposits, funds transfers, balance inquiries or account information inquiries, at any time and without the need for direct interaction with bank staff.
A secure cryptoprocessor is a dedicated computer-on-a-chip or microprocessor for carrying out cryptographic operations, embedded in a packaging with multiple physical security measures, which give it a degree of tamper resistance. Unlike cryptographic processors that output decrypted data onto a bus in a secure environment, a secure cryptoprocessor does not output decrypted data or decrypted program instructions in an environment where security cannot always be maintained.
A smart card (SC), chip card, or integrated circuit card, is a card used to control access to a resource. It is typically a plastic credit card-sized card with an embedded integrated circuit (IC) chip. Many smart cards include a pattern of metal contacts to electrically connect to the internal chip. Others are contactless, and some are both. Smart cards can provide personal identification, authentication, data storage, and application processing. Applications include identification, financial, public transit, computer security, schools, and healthcare. Smart cards may provide strong security authentication for single sign-on (SSO) within organizations. Numerous nations have deployed smart cards throughout their populations.
In cryptography and computer security, a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack, or on-path attack, is a cyberattack where the attacker secretly relays and possibly alters the communications between two parties who believe that they are directly communicating with each other, as the attacker has inserted themselves between the two user parties.
A personal identification number (PIN), PIN code, or sometimes redundantly a PIN number, is a numeric passcode used in the process of authenticating a user accessing a system.
EMV is a payment method based on a technical standard for smart payment cards and for payment terminals and automated teller machines which can accept them. EMV stands for "Europay, Mastercard, and Visa", the three companies that created the standard.
The Encrypting File System (EFS) on Microsoft Windows is a feature introduced in version 3.0 of NTFS that provides filesystem-level encryption. The technology enables files to be transparently encrypted to protect confidential data from attackers with physical access to the computer.
The National Security Agency took over responsibility for all US government encryption systems when it was formed in 1952. The technical details of most NSA-approved systems are still classified, but much more about its early systems have become known and its most modern systems share at least some features with commercial products.
A one-time password (OTP), also known as a one-time PIN, one-time passcode, one-time authorization code (OTAC) or dynamic password, is a password that is valid for only one login session or transaction, on a computer system or other digital device. OTPs avoid several shortcomings that are associated with traditional (static) password-based authentication; a number of implementations also incorporate two-factor authentication by ensuring that the one-time password requires access to something a person has as well as something a person knows.
A security token is a peripheral device used to gain access to an electronically restricted resource. The token is used in addition to, or in place of, a password. Examples of security tokens include wireless key cards used to open locked doors, a banking token used as a digital authenticator for signing in to online banking, or signing transactions such as wire transfers.
ISO 8583 is an international standard for financial transaction card originated interchange messaging. It is the International Organization for Standardization standard for systems that exchange electronic transactions initiated by cardholders using payment cards.
A hardware security module (HSM) is a physical computing device that safeguards and manages secrets, performs encryption and decryption functions for digital signatures, strong authentication and other cryptographic functions. These modules traditionally come in the form of a plug-in card or an external device that attaches directly to a computer or network server. A hardware security module contains one or more secure cryptoprocessor chips.
In cryptography, Derived Unique Key Per Transaction (DUKPT) is a key management scheme in which for every transaction, a unique key is used which is derived from a fixed key. Therefore, if a derived key is compromised, future and past transaction data are still protected since the next or prior keys cannot be determined easily.
Disk encryption is a technology which protects information by converting it into code that cannot be deciphered easily by unauthorized people or processes. Disk encryption uses disk encryption software or hardware to encrypt every bit of data that goes on a disk or disk volume. It is used to prevent unauthorized access to data storage.
The Chip Authentication Program (CAP) is a MasterCard initiative and technical specification for using EMV banking smartcards for authenticating users and transactions in online and telephone banking. It was also adopted by Visa as Dynamic Passcode Authentication (DPA). The CAP specification defines a handheld device with a smartcard slot, a numeric keypad, and a display capable of displaying at least 12 characters. Banking customers who have been issued a CAP reader by their bank can insert their Chip and PIN (EMV) card into the CAP reader in order to participate in one of several supported authentication protocols. CAP is a form of two-factor authentication as both a smartcard and a valid PIN must be present for a transaction to succeed. Banks hope that the system will reduce the risk of unsuspecting customers entering their details into fraudulent websites after reading so-called phishing emails.
Multi-factor authentication is an electronic authentication method in which a user is granted access to a website or application only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism. MFA protects personal data—which may include personal identification or financial assets—from being accessed by an unauthorized third party that may have been able to discover, for example, a single password.
Point-to-point encryption (P2PE) is a standard established by the PCI Security Standards Council. Payment solutions that offer similar encryption but do not meet the P2PE standard are referred to as end-to-end encryption (E2EE) solutions. The objective of P2PE and E2EE is to provide a payment security solution that instantaneously converts confidential payment card data and information into indecipherable code at the time the card is swiped, in order to prevent hacking and fraud. It is designed to maximize the security of payment card transactions in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Utimaco Atalla, founded as Atalla Technovation and formerly known as Atalla Corporation or HP Atalla, is a security vendor, active in the market segments of data security and cryptography. Atalla provides government-grade end-to-end products in network security, and hardware security modules (HSMs) used in automated teller machines (ATMs) and Internet security. The company was founded by Egyptian engineer Mohamed M. Atalla in 1972. Atalla HSMs are the payment card industry's de facto standard, protecting 250 million card transactions daily as of 2013, and securing the majority of the world's ATM transactions as of 2014.
The Four Corners model, often referred to as the Four Party Scheme is the most used card scheme in card payment systems worldwide. This model was introduced in the 1990s. It is a user-friendly card payment system based on an interbank clearing system and economic model established on multilateral interchange fees (MIF) paid between banks or other payment institutions.
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