John T wrote:
wrote in message


My bank's ATMS have touch screens.

One day recently I walked up to them and one clearly had a Microsoft
BSOD.

I didn't try to hack in, but someone might.

I recently saw a similar error displayed on a parking garage ticket
dispenser.

What input device would the would-be hacker use? Was there a touch-screen
keyboard available? Some other input device accessible?

There is also a keypad on those ATMS.

Who knows what it's functionality is; one would hope none and neither
the touch screen nor the keypad do anything until the system is reset
from the inside, but as I didn't design the system, I can't say if that's
how it works.

"Someone might" try hacking *any* system. A computer's mere existence is
enough of a challenge for some folks. Are you suggesting that the ATM should
not be "connected" to another system because it represents a security
vulnerability (which was the premise that started this thread)?

Ummm, no.

While physical separation of systems is one of the better deterents to
hacking, it isn't the only method to prevent it.

Systems that are interconnected can be designed to be secure.

--
Jim Pennino

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