Sunday, August 30, 2009

ATM Passwords kena Hack

As a reminder to those people who uses IC/ID/Tell. number/Address/ anything related to personal info....
please change your password. There has been a case happened in our uni where one of our classmate's money of RM5,200 got stolen (ATM cash).

It happened one perfect and ordinary day where unexpected things are least expected to happen. She, my classmate, went to the library. As rules stated, bags are supposed to put outside of the library where there are shelves provided.

So, yeah.. she left her bag there (with purse and everything inside) You can guess what happened next... But thats not it, she came out after 10 minutes to check on something. **She said she felt something's not right... (6 sense... 0.0)** And realize everything was perfectly fine... purse was there, money untouched, ic, card, bla bla bla....

After few days when she wanna buy something, went to the ATM and 'gam lui'. Realized that her money was withdrawn till dry. Hows it possible? i don't know. Then she called up the bank to ask and they said the last 5 transect ion was made at that day, that time when she went to the library (within that 10 minutes).


okay, so lets make a wild assumption. The thieve knows her ATM password (might be someone close), or that he is that lucky to somehow guessed correctly. (for your info: 6 digits with a permutation and combination of probabilities, its over a 1,000,000 chances of getting the correct password)


So after 1 month, she came into class 1 day. Announced this matter and asked if the one who took it would return it back to her or this matter will be brought to the police to solve. Added on, she said that 'luckily' the ATM captured pictures of the culprit. So..... (u and i know its just for threatening the thieve to hand out the money) But.. come on man, u suspect your closest and only friend?? your own class mates??? BTw, our class is only about a hand full of 13 people. Plus 1 or 2 that were absent throughout the whole semester. I was shocked and in the state of stunned and speechless that day. Trying to solve this matter and also trying to figure out why she would suspect us, her close friends.


So, there are few issues i wanna raise here:
1) why she leave her valuables outside the library and not with her?
2) why her password is known by someone else?
3) why after 1 month only she announced this?
4) why us???
5) why u???


so according to issue (1), there were many announcements and notice given stated that 'Students please do not leave their valuables, especially WALLET AND PURSE, outside the library as there are many cases of theft at that area.' And, as a normal civilian born with common sense and brains, will u leave your belongings outside?? So im guessing that she accidentally left it outside and after 10 minuted when she realized it, she went back out to take it. (too late mua fren -___- )

the (2) issue, her password. Usually when she goes to the ATM, there would be a close friend standing next to her. So, either her close friend knows her password or that her password is easily guessed. (eg. 111111 or something related to u that is ALSO in the purse) As a 19 year old, you should know what is protect personal passwords right?? (assume) The law wont protect those who are 18 above (known as major), the law will only protect those who are Minors(<18). So please, know your own responsibilities.

the (3) issue. why one month? the case also becomes less hot already. This, i can only make an assumption that she was observing us with a one month period. To find out who has the most suspicious face and who is the real culprit. Childish... -____-

The (4) and (5) issue i put for fun.. lol
But seriously, why us?? u left it outside the library, everyone can gain access to your belongings. The security guard wont recognize who's stuffs is who's. So u cant simply assume it was your own classmates who did that. (wa kalu kua wa tong waeh jiki o0o) XD



Well, my whole deduction to this crime is:
1) when she enters into the library, someone was beside her (acting like he is also taking stuffs preparing to enter the library)
2) when she enters into the library, the guy calls out his accomplice to search the bag as he watches the girls every move.
3) the accomplic goes to the ground floor ATM to start trying. First by trying out the IC number. (so lucky, the password is the IC number.)
4)jackpot, but 1 transaction only can make RM1,500. So he made 4 which is a total of RM4,500. The fifth transaction is Rm700. Gone!! RM5,200...
5) As his friend is in the library with her, or outside checking if she comes out or not, calls his friend to come return the purse with nothing touched in it.
6) So all along they were aiming for the ATM money and not the cash in it. Smart... and a perfect crime, cuz they were lucky to guessed correctly the password =______=




Conclusion, i think that the ATM photo shit is a fake. ATM's usually has this small mirror in front of you for u to see who is behind of you (its actually a 1 way glass where inside can see out, but from the outside u just see a plain mirror. So the camera is hidden inside the mirror) Another is that there will be a CCTV on top of the screen where its visible. Our campus ATM has none of that, so u know the answer lah...
Imagine, if she really had it, she would just use the pic to find out who is the thief. And therefore, every issue points to her fault. Carelessness is all i can say. i don't think she can get it back, even the police cant do anything... Finger print check?? 1 month already, the purse will be full of her own finger prints by that time. So, in the end...
It's a perfect crime... :(



The moral of this story, do not use your personal information as your password. People are not dumb, they will use any method possible to get what they want. Hope you all receive the message and all the best. Protect and safeguard your belongings, Thank you :)