Researchers Demonstrate PIN Code Theft via Thermal Imaging
Researchers Demonstrate PIN Code Theft via Thermal Imaging
Posted 09/05/2011 at 7:08am
| by Paul Lilly
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Here's another rule of thumb to live by. If you're getting ready to punch in your PIN code at an ATM and notice the guy behind you is wielding a digital camera, find another ATM. That's because researchers at the University of California, San Diego, published a study showing how digital cameras capable of digital imaging can capture PIN codes by picking up heat patterns left on the keypad.
According to the study, this technique is effective more than 80 percent of the time if there isn't any time lapse, and has about a 50 percent success rate after a minute goes by. Wait a minute and a half and the chances of it being effective drop to around 20 percent, Physorg.com reports.
Before you go and rip up your ATM card, understand there are several things that make this kind of surveillance scam impractical. The biggest one is the type of keypad. While highly effective on plastic keypads, thermal imaging is practically useless on metal keypads, as the heat quickly dissipates. Even if your PIN code does get picked up by some guy in a tree zooming in with his camera, he still won't know the order of the key presses. And finally, high-end cameras that make this technique possible typically run $18,000.
Image Credit: physorg.com
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szore
September 05, 2011 at 3:20pm
I usually just pistol whip them until I get the card AND the number. Easier that way.
Relax, it's a joke.
Eoraptor
September 05, 2011 at 10:23am
""Even if your PIN code does get picked up by some guy in a tree zooming in with his camera, he still won't know the order of the key presses.""
No, it's not that impractical: Just looking at the sample image I have a pretty good idea the order of the numbers, because the heat dissapates in the order of keys pressed. Just work backwards from the key "least heated" to the one which is hottest and you've got a 50/50 chance at hitting the PIN. Since most ATM's give you a 3 strikes system, that's more than you need.
Otherwise, yes, all those drive up ATM's with the industrial strength out-door metal keypads are fairly safe, and you should mace anyone standing near you with their camera out and pointed no matter the situation. .
Baer
September 05, 2011 at 10:07am
I always push extra keys or punch in a wrong code then the correct one or punch additional buttons after enter. Once I had this suspicious dude behind me so I told him to go ahead as I was still looking for my atm. He left.
Caboose
September 06, 2011 at 1:38pm
You do realize that doing that too often, especially one after another, will put up a flag on your card that it has been compromised, thus locking your account.
And I believe you mean your interac, debit, access card or ATM card. You don't carry around an entire Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in your pocket. Unless you have some sort of pockets made out of the same fabric as Merry Poppin's handbag, or you're a giant of astronomical proportions.
scoop6274
September 05, 2011 at 9:45am
umm... maybe I'm being to simplistic here, but wouldn't it just make sense to push all the number keys after you were finished at the atm. I mean, if all the keys have the same heat signature, how do they figure out your pin. Course, I can't remember the last time I actually used an atm.
Wolfy78
September 05, 2011 at 9:10am
While I found this article quite interesting, I found it more disturbing that Cannon ads for lens are all over the top of the article.
Screenshot http://screencast.com/t/zL65aKXFa
Dman222123222
September 05, 2011 at 9:58am
I've used Adblock for so long I didnt know what he was talking about. LOL
Caboose
September 06, 2011 at 1:39pm
There are ads on the internet?! Wow! Learn something new every day!
I loves me some AdBlock!
Wolfy78
September 05, 2011 at 3:10pm
I just have been lazy and didn't put the addon on chome yet. Firefox and pale moon both have it though lol. Also, you obviously didn't look at the link nor get my humor.
r6srider
September 05, 2011 at 7:35am
Researching things you saw in a video game are we? I believe this was splinter cell 2 or 3, I can't remember which one had the thermal goggels.
Wingzero_x
September 05, 2011 at 8:05am
Just wonder how much money the government gave them to do this research.
Brad Nimbus
September 05, 2011 at 7:33am
It's been awhile since I got out of the international spy gig but that looks like 4185 to me. :P
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