Criminals Hide Payment-Card Skimmers Inside Gas Station Pumps

http://www.darkreading.com/database_security/security/attacks/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=223100233

by cwan • 16 years ago

14 8 16 years ago

gcb2• 16 years ago

and people, remember that removing or messing with any of thode devices is in violation of the DMCA. So dont look too much. You are not expected to know how an atm or gas pump work. Just insert you card as you're expected to and be a law abiding citizen.

almost3• 16 years ago

Yes, the DMCA does suck quite a huge amount. But is the DMCA the main thing stopping you from disassembling and reassembling gas pumps before you use them? I'm guessing probably not.

gcb2• 16 years ago

if i dont know how they work regularly, how can i spot an anomalous card skimmer?

Cmon this is HACKER news. Any chance you have to bash something that prevents hacking should be taken to bash said thing.

how can i be safe when i buy an used pump from ebay and want to make it a soda pump? Damn the dmca! Think of the children!

kvs• 16 years ago

Let's not forget that in some states full-service is required and customer is usually not the one swiping the card. So, the gas station attendant can be an accomplish on this whole scheme.

jeromec• 16 years ago

From what I heard, digital thievery has gotten so hot gas station attendants were being paid for copies of card information. This sort of problem will only grow as society depends more and more on technology. It's my hope that technologists such as we that frequent HN can invent counter measures to these vulnerabilities. Otherwise, it's a real shame. One thing I do, and encourage, for convenience is to use bank debit cards as credit cards for purchases (credit card convenience without fees). However, my suggestion is to set up an extra no-fee checking account with a couple hundred dollars for this purpose. That way a compromised card is limited in its losses.

tfincannon• 16 years ago

If the skimmers transmitted the stolen data via Bluetooth, wouldn't the receiver have to be within 30 feet? That would seem to make it easy to track down.

almost3• 16 years ago

I think the idea is that they still store details but it makes it much easier to pick them up afterwards. With a traditional skimmer you maybe have to remove it to get at the juicy stolen details which is a whole load of extra risk vs. just walking by with a laptop.

I doubt anyone is waiting in a parked car across the street having details streamed to them in real time, you never know though...

Criminals Hide Payment-Card Skimmers Inside Gas Station Pumps

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