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Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

Yep its true, Russia leading computer security company Kaspersky has warned banks about a new software virus that infects Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) to steal money from bank accounts of their users. Kaspersky claimed that they have discovered a new virus in the network of several bank ATMs.

So what does a virus do in an ATM ? Looks like its all about gathering ATM user’s information and sending it back to its creator and of course moving funds. But all these seems to be future plans for the programmer of the virus. Now its all about infection of the ATM system and survival. Now that could be real serious problem. But this particular virus only infects the popular American “Diebold” brand of ATMs which are used in Russia and Ukraine. Also the infection level is minimal. But individual card holders will not be able to detect whether an ATM is infected or not.

“This is a malicious program intended to infect and survive in ATMs. It is possible that new software will appear, aimed at illegitimately using banking information and removing funds” an official of the Kaspersky Lab was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

On analyzing the programming code of the virus there is a high probability that the programmer comes from one of the former Soviet republics.

But it seems the problem is already under control as banks can run security software to find out if their machines are at risk.