Cyber attack: Siliguri Police alerts banks- police patrolling teams will also intensify their vigil

SNS, SILIGURI. 31 MAY 21 : The Siliguri Metropolitan Police has alerted banks and police stations, in the wake of the 'Man in the Middle' attack-- a highly sophisticated cyber attack on ATMs in Kolkata.

Siliguri police chief Gaurav Sharma said banks had been alerted and Cyber Crime Police Stations asked to remain more vigilant to prevent any such activity. Mr Sharma said police teams will also intensity patrolling to thwart break-in attempts at ATM s in the town. He said the security of the ATMs will be reviewed.

Cyber fraudsters withdrew around Rs 40 lakh from three ATMs of a private bank in Kolkata this month. In the cyber attack, a proxy server is created by inserting a device in the machine. It is disconnected from the server of the bank and it takes the command from that server. The fraudsters then insert their card to withdraw the money "We have activated the Cyber Crime Police Stations. There will be a thorough review of the security system of the ATMs, positions and functions of the CCTV cameras, the functioning of the burglar alarms and the security guards. We will draw up a detailed plan over the security of the ATM Kiosks. We will soon hold a meeting with bank officials," Mr Sharma said.

He said police patrolling teams will also intensify their vigil against break-in attempts at ATMs.

There are many unguarded ATM counters in the town and some do not even have CCTV cameras, police sources said.

A senior police officer said the SMP had asked bank authorities to install anti-skimming devices at ATM s and increase security guards at the machine counters to enhance cyber security to combat banking fraud.

"Preventing cyber crime has been a major challenge as new strategies are adopted frequently. Police had earlier asked bank authorities to upgrade the security system at the ATMs. We have informed them about anti-skimming devices there, engaging security guards, installing CCTV cameras at proper positions and conducting regular checks. We find that they hardly have real-time surveillance and many of them do not have an alarm system," the officer said.

Bank officials said ATMs were mostly outsourced, and agencies were generally responsible for the maintenance, installation, and round the-clock security system monitoring.