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Thread: Chip and Pin

  1. #1
    Email problem daveob's Avatar
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    Chip and Pin

    OK, so all the local banks are eventually getting on board with the chip based cards.

    But, are they really so secure ?

    I've had one for over 2 years, and I must say that the 'security' given to you when standing at the check-out at the local supermarket is, well, non existant.

    There's no kind of shield or cover on the keypad, so almost anyone could see your pin number being entered.

    Agreed, they can't as easily clone your card, but if it gets lifted, and they have your pin, then it's just as 'secure' as the older cards.

    Just my 2c.
    Watching the ships passing by.

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    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
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    I bought stamps at the post office the other day and used a chipped credit card to pay. Despite the card machine having the facility to use the chip functionality, the clerk swiped the card instead - and I never had to put in a PIN number to validate the transaction. When I questioned this, they said it's something to do with their linked software.

    It seems to defeat the object of chipping if the swipe functionality still works, and doesn't need a PIN to boot

  3. #3
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    The chips in the cards are simple 8-16 bit mircoprocessors with a bit of EErom. Reading and programming them is as simple as dealing with any other mirco. They never took off simply because they are just as unsecure as any other card.

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    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
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    Hi Adrianh,

    You are quite wrong, yes there is a micro on board, however they use 256bit encryption to do communication of the data, much like a secure web page does. You have no access to the data, as it is in an encrypted format. It may seem that it is secure, but the fundamental problem is that all information is stored on the card itself. This will allow a hacker to play with no time limit to eventually crack the code.

    This is the reason that only bank approved or what they call EMV approved POS systems are allowed to be used to communicate. Of course the algorithm has to reside in these terminals. This is the reason for the EMV approval, in which one of the requirements is that the program data is erased if the unit is opened or tampered with to reduce the risk of exposing the program and algorithm. The other problem will be that once the code is cracked, the whole system is exposed and at risk, as the change will take a considerable amount of time and money to change.
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

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    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
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    Boing too late already, someone has cracked the code. Chip and PIN is broken
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

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    Just simply disguise your finger movements when you punch in the PIN. Europe has used Chip and Pin for years- its great.

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    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnwarner75 View Post
    Just simply disguise your finger movements when you punch in the PIN. Europe has used Chip and Pin for years- its great.
    True, but the population ethics are a very high standard. In Europe you can sleep with your door unlocked too.
    It all depends on where you reside.

    Just recently a large ring of fraudsters were arrested in Europe in which they were scamming the conventional magnetic stripe cards. This has been going on in our neck of the woods a good few years ago already.
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

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