ATM Malware

ATM users! Beware of the ATM malware!! Next time when you use your ATM card keep in mind that there is a malware lurking around and could easily burn a large hole in your pocket.
A case has already been reported in this account where a Bank of America employee stole more than $200,000 from the ATM after installing the malware. Interestingly there wasn't any record of the transaction.

The technique of the attack is indeed ingenious. It just records the Magnetic stripe information at the back of the card as well as the Personal Identification Number (PIN). The data is printed in the receipt roll when a special Master card is inserted in the card slot and launches a user interface. The data can also be stored in the magnetic stripe at the back of the master card. Then your card is open for criminals to access free money from your bank account.

The dangerous thing is that this malware can spread from one ATM to other ATMs across the world through the ATM network. Have a look at the links below:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/04/atm-hack/

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9134013/ATM_malware_spreading_around_the_world_researcher_says_?taxonomyId=17&intsrc=kc_top&taxonomyName=security