Be careful with cybercafé computers

Cybercafé’s offer a convenient way to use a networked computer when you are away from home or office. But be careful. It's impossible for an ordinary user to tell what the state of their security might be. Since anyone can use them for anything, they have probably been exposed to viruses, worms, Trojans, keyloggers, and other nasty malware. Should you use them at all? They're okay for casual web browsing, but they're NOT okay for connecting to your email, which may contain personal information; to any secure system, like the network or server at your office, bank or credit union; or for shopping online.

A perfect example is a current co-worker who went to the local Starbucks for his morning coffee. He opened up his mobile device and connected to the free Wi-Fi. Now this in itself was not a bad thing but what happens next is the issue. He logged onto his Wells Fargo account. Made a few inquiries and transactions and logged out of his session. A couple of days later he was notified of a compromise on his Wells Fargo account. Alas, he was the victim of cyber theft.

This co-worker has now spent the last two weeks working with the fraud group to get his account moved over to a new account. I don’t feel bad for the co-worker only because he is blaming Wells Fargo for all the complications in getting his account back up and running.  Wells needs to follow protocol. Being a large bank different departments are scattered across multiple call centers throughout the country. Yes it is frustrating for the consumer but the bigger issue here is that the co-worker decided to connect to a public Wi-Fi and conduct personal business.

The moral of this story is, you never know who is watching. Hackers are everywhere. It’s ok to connect to the free Wi-Fi at a hotel, coffee shop etc but please do not conduct any personal or confidential business. You never know who will be watching.

Have a safe day.

JMS

Windows XP based ATMs could be hacker’s paradise

Windows XP based ATMs could be hacker’s paradise

A recent study shows that 90% of American banks ATMs still run Windows XP or even worse Windows CE. Microsoft has discontinued support of XP as of April 8, 2014. What could this mean for the banking and finance industry? The main concern across the board is security, as hackers could soon have an unmonitored forum, putting data and end users at risk.

Some major banks are cutting deals with Microsoft to extend life support for their Windows XP machines while they replace their fleet of ATMs, according to CNN, but replacing ATM operating systems is a major undertaking. There are over 200 thousand ATMs in the United States, according to Retail Banking Research in London. The labor required to upgrade software, or even replace the entire system inside an ATM, could cost anywhere between $1000 and $3500 apiece.

After April 8, bank customers might be less concerned to use nondescript ATM found in malls, bars and small convenience stores. These 190,000 independently run kiosks make up the other half of the nation’s ATMs, and nearly all of them run and even older, simpler operating system which Microsoft still supports.

As a consumer you will not know what the operating system behind the scenes is. Ask questions of your bank to see what their plans are for upgrading. I have read where Dibold is working with financial institutions on upgrading systems. My one take away from this is, we all knew XP was going away. Microsoft provided us 18 months to prepare. Why didn’t these banks begin the process. Was it money or man power? Whatever the reason, for the next few months you will see more issues centered around ATMs and it will truly be a hacker’s paradise.

Be safe.