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Shocking News!

One has to be cautious before withdrawing money in ATMs.

Kamala Sastry, Bombay: kamala_sastry69@yahoo.com

Bank ATM's Converted to Steal IDs of Bank Customers.
A team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate bank ATM's to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this, do not use the ATM; report it immediately to the bank authorities.

The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN is cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A "skimmer" is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.
At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.
The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM. You can see the photographs with different positions.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.




The equipment as it appears installed over the normal ATM bank slot.




The PIN reading camera being installed on the ATM is housed in an innocent looking leaflet enclosure.



The camera shown installed and ready to capture PIN's by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN

By mail
Sastry Chandrasekariah &

Smt.Kamala Sastry
Residence: C - 6, I. I. T. Campus.
Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai-400 076.
Phone: (+91-22) 2572 0374 Direct.
Alternative e-mail: scsiah@gmail.com

A decade history of ATM fraud in the world!

Since the advent of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) a few decades ago, banks and their customers have had to deal with a new form of theft; card-skimming. Card-skimming is the collection of ATM card numbers and PINs for the purpose of stealing money from bank accounts, a scheme accomplished through methods as low-tech as simply watching customers as they use ATMs (a technique known as "shoulder surfing"), or methods as high-tech as installing false card readers (or whole false fronts) on top of existing ATMs. With the purloined information, scammers can manufacture counterfeit ATM cards and use them to withdraw money from accounts. In some cases the thieves may steal the original ATM cards, then use some form of card-skimming to collect the appropriate PINs.

The scheme described in the e-mail warning quoted above is one of the decidedly high-tech variety: a phony card slot installed over the real one scans information from an entered card's magnetic stripe, and a small camera hidden within adjacent pamphlet holder records information from the ATM's display screen and keyboard. The pilfered information is sent via a wireless transmitter to waiting thieves, who can capture it on a laptop from upto 200meters away. The very scheme pictured here was indeed used in South America to steal information (and money) from customers of Bradesco, a Brazilian bank:

An e-mail, which has been widely circulated in the past week, shows how a fake card slot containing a scanner can be attached to an ATM machine to record data from a credit or debit card's magnetic stripe. A camera attached to the side of the ATM and disguised as an information box is positioned to record information on the screen and the keypad. A wireless transmitter inside the box then sends the video to the scammers, who can capture the information on a computer in a nearby car or building. The thieves can be up to 200 metres away. A spokesperson for NCR, the ATM giant which produced the cash machine shown in the e-mail, said the scam had been reported several times in South America. The machine shown in the document belonged to Brazilian bank Bradesco.
Police in Canada, the United States and Malaysia have reported cases of fraud using similar hi-tech methods. Similar card-skimming equipment was also found on ATMs in Hong Kong in January 2004:

Two hi-tech pinhole cameras concealed in two automatic teller machines outside a branch of the Hang Seng Bank branch in Tsuen Wan were discovered when a repairman was fixing a blown fluorescent light. Each camera, equipped with a transmitter and batteries, was hidden behind a fake panel affixed to the top of the ATM casing, a source said. The machines were at the bank's Tai Ho Road branch. The home-made panels were described by the source as highly sophisticated and not easily seen. They were very thin and only about 7cm high, matching the width of the ATMs and painted the same colour. The cameras were positioned to view the keypads and monitors of the machines to spy on cardholders as they entered their personal identification numbers. The devices are understood to have been able to transmit images to a remote receiver in the area and had been there for two or three.

In the United States, where independent ATMs (i.e., machines not maintained by banks) are more common, some crooks have resorted to even more thorough methods for stealing money. In December 2003, U.S. Secret Service agents arrested Iljmija Frljuckic, who had bought and installed more than 55 ATMs in California, Florida, and New York. Frljuckic used the machines to collect information on more than 21,000 accounts from 1,400 different banks, which he used to appropriate over $3.5 million from customer accounts

For now the best defense is for ATM customers to remain cautious and vigilant when using their cards, but distinguishing a rigged machine (especially one of the independent variety) from the real thing can be extremely difficult even for the most careful of users. NCR hopes that the introduction of "smart cards" (i.e., cards with embedded chips) will eliminate the problem of counterfeit fraud.

Good advice would be to get into the habit of using the same ATM for almost all of your transactions so as to better recognize when something is different with the machine. Be wary of any changes you see on its outside. If it's affixed to a bank, walk in and ask why the changes were made.

The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/atmcamera.asp
Urban Legends Reference Pages © 1995-2005
by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson

www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/atmcamera.asp

NITs will be on their way to grater heights

National Institutes of Technology (NIT) can now aspire to match IITs in excellence. The Government of India (Ministry of HRD) is going to introduce NIT bill in the coming winter session of Parliament. The idea behind bringing NITs into an Act is to model the Institutions on the systems of IITs. In the period of Sri Murulimanoher Joshi the then HRD Minister 18 REC (Regional Engineering Colleges) were remodeled into NITs with 100% funding. Further the Institutions need a set of legislation to bring them together qualitatively and administratively. The priority is to enhance the Institutions of national importance with total automation. Government plans to increase two more NITs at Agartala and Raipur.

Like IITs, the new bill envisages a similar governance structure for NITs.There would be a council of NITs to take policy decisions. Every NIT would have its board of governers drawn from eminent people from various walks of life. There would be a director; an academic senate and separate committee for finance, building and examination. Centre’s budget allocation would also increase from the current average allocation of Rs.12 crore per NIT every year.

Times of India 11^th November 2005/Page-8

IIMs should broaden their syllabus-Lakshmi Niwas Mittal

Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, he Economic Times Global Indian Award winner for 2005 whose steel empire has been felt from Romania to Mexico and to Jarkhand in India; while conversing with the directors of the IIMs of Amhedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta stressed “you are creating leaders of tomorrow. Look at your syllabus and curriculum which teaches about yesterday. See what is needed for the day. See what is needed for the day after tomorrow. Upgrade skills to bring in this element. The need is to create leaders for day after tomorrow.” Further he clarified with “We recruit from India, and have realized that they do not have a global perspective on various issues such as IT laws, since they have not read in their college books”.

He advised the aspirants who want a global footprint should dream big but should temper their dreams with a core of pragmatism, he cautioned. Setting his example; Mittal elaborated that it was equally important to have the courage to follow one’s gut and take the road less traveled. Although his peers believed that steel was a regional business; Mittal was determined to make the world his mill and charted out a steady path of acquiring business in countries across the world. He gave a fine piece of advice by telling “If you are convinced that your business strategy is sound, follow it; even if it goes against that which is traditionally acceptable.”

Being an Indian gives us certain natural advantages; “being cost effective is one of our inherent attributes. This has however to be sustained over a long run. Thus focusing on cost reduction is part of the culture in our organization.” said the steel king who produces the cheapest steel in the world.

Further he told a good CEO should able to go out to take a risk. Urging the CEOs to stay true to their convictions and set out clear operating, financial and marketing strategies; “if this can be done then Indian Inc can conquer the world just like we have done in the steel industry.” he concluded.

Mittal as CEO of Mittal steel, heads a multicultural empire of over two lakh employees from 45 countries. Mittal acquired the most expensive address in London for 70 million pounds.

The Times of India 11^th November 2005/Paghe-8

Narayana Murthy of Infosys at Times of India as Guest Editor on 26^th November 2005

At the time of planning the Times of India Edition on 26^th November 2005 Narayana Murthy came up with a special request “Only positive stories in the front page, please. I want people to start the day on an up beat note, not weight down by negativism. For too long we have defeatist outlook, maybe because of all the years of slavery. I want TOI readers, especially the youngsters, to wake up and read about a nation on the move.” TOI reporters asked what about the negative but necessary reports; he replied “take them inside or at least not on the top of the front page”

The former premier of Singapore has recently mentioned that people like Murthy should join politics. For which Murthy replied “It is one thing to run a company with highly educated people who have united vision. It is quite another to run a highly disparate nation with multiple agendas and causes. One should not underestimate politics, or overestimate oneself.” Further he stressed “By and large, I feel that our structures, system and processes are not geared to allow good people to succeed in politics.”

Regarding the delay in implementing the projects he expressed “Unfortunately, no one really plans for the future in India. And when we do plan; we are global backbenchers at implementation.”

N R Narayana Murthy took Engineering degree at University of Mysore in the year 1967; M Tech at IIT, Kanpur in 1969, founded Infosys in 1981 along with six software professional. In 1999 Infosys was listed on NASDAQ (Infy); the first Indian registered company to be listed on American Stock Exchange.

Times of India 26^th November 2005/ Front & page-8

Singhania reached stratosphere; achieved hot air balloon world record

The Industrialist Vijaypath Singhania with his hot air balloon reached the height of 69852(13.22 miles) feet above see level on Saturday the 26^th November 2005 breaking the 64997 feet world record set by Per Lindstand in June 1988 in Texas USA. The 67 year old Chairman of Raymonds took of from Mahalakshmi Race Course Mumbai at 6.40 am in his multicolored 20-storey height hot balloon. There was a huge applause when the balloon took off amidst the assembled people including media; before the lift off Singhania said that he was nervous but excited and confident. As the sun rose over Mumbai, so did the balloon, higher, above the skyscrapers and over the see until it was a tiny dot, he reached the altitude over Ullasnagar 60 km north of Mumbai at 8.53 am.

Singhania’s original target was 70000 feet, the border between the sky and space but at 69000 feet the balloon dropped suddenly by 1000 feet due to cold-air pocket. As he steadily recouped altitude; mission control radioed that he had already broken the record and advised him to begin his descent for safety reasons.

The industrialist landed at Sinnar between Nashik and Shirdi about 200 km from Mumbai at 11.30 am. The adventure took 4 hour 50 minutes and ended after paying his tribute to Shirdi shrine.

Singhania has been an aviator for four decades with a total flying experience of over 5000 hours, including several hundred hours on Boeing 737s with East West, Damania, Alliance and Sahara Airways.

Deccan Herald/27^th November 2005/Times of India 27^th November 2005/Page-7

Hot Air Balloon

Hot air balloons are the oldest successful human flight technology dating back to 1783. That was more than a century the Wright brothers flew the first airplane at Kitty Hawk.

Hot air balloon was first constructed on October 1960 with polyurethane coated nylon and the burner was propane powered. Modern balloons are usually made of synthetic fabrics such as rip stop nylon a light weight fabric of high strength, the heater or burner is fuelled by propane, a liquefied gas stored in pressure vessels. Singania’s hot air balloon took initially two hours to inflate before the take off (20 storied height balloon) which was powered by kerosene on its ascent and propane on its downward journey.

The first man to fly around the world was achieved by Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of Briton in 1999; they started their journey from Swiss Alps and circumnavigate the globe with a non-stop, non refueled flight. It took them 20 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes to travel 42810 km. Steve Fossett in his sixth attempt succeeded to go around the globe by breaking the record of Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of Briton On June 19, 2002. He started the journey from Australia and took 14 days, 19 hour and 51 minutes to circumnavigate the world.

Times of India/Learning with the Times/28^th November2005/Page-9

Earth's Atmosphere

The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air, which we call the atmosphere. It reaches over 560 kilometers (348 miles) from the surface of the Earth; the atmosphere protects us from high-energy radiation and the frigid vacuum of space. The envelope of gas surrounding the Earth changes from the ground up. Four distinct layers have been identified using thermal characteristics (temperature changes), chemical composition, movement, and density.

Troposphere

The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 kilometers high (5 to 9 miles). This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. As you climb higher in this layer, the temperature drops from about 17 to -52 degrees Celsius. Almost all weather is in this region. The tropopause separates the troposphere from the next layer. The tropopause and the troposphere are known as the lower atmosphere

Stratosphere

The stratosphere starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 kilometers (31 miles) high. Compared to the troposphere, this part of the atmosphere is dry and less dense. The temperature in this region increases gradually to -3 degrees Celsius, due to the absorbtion of ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation, is in this layer. Ninety-nine percent of "air" is located in the troposphere and stratosphere. The stratopause separates the stratosphere from the next layer.

Mesosphere

The mesosphere starts just above the stratosphere and extends to 85 kilometers (53 miles) high. In this region, the temperatures again fall as low as -93 degrees Celsius as you increase in altitude. The chemicals are in an excited state, as they absorb energy from the Sun. The mesopause separates the mesophere from the thermosphere.The regions of the stratosphere and the mesosphere, along with the stratopause and mesopause, are called the middle atmosphere by scientists. This area has been closely studied on the ATLAS Spacelab mission series.

Thermosphere

The thermosphere starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 kilometers (372 miles) high. The temperatures go up as you increase in altitude due to the Sun's energy. Temperatures in this region can go as high as 1,727 degrees Celsius. Chemical reactions occur much faster here than on the surface of the Earth. This layer is known as the upper atmosphere.

Composition of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is primarily composed of Nitrogen (N₂, 78%), Oxygen (O₂, 21%), and Argon (Ar, 1%). A myriad of other very influential components are also present which include the water (H₂O, 0 - 7%), "greenhouse" gases or Ozone (O, 0 - 0.01%), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂, 0.01-0.1%),

Beyond the Atmosphere

The exosphere starts at the top to the thermosphere and continues until it merges with interplanetary gases, or space. In this region of the atmosphere, Hydrogen and Helium are the prime components and are only present at extremely low densities.