From: Jon Green 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: Chip and PIN, how secure is the transaction?
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 13:55:34 GMT

"r_mervart"  wrote:

> I quote from a recent article written by American Express:
> 
> Be wary also of just how secure the position of the terminal is. Many PIN
> entry machines are just not private. Take the experience of another shopper
> queuing patiently to pay in a shop in London. Standing two people behind a
> customer paying for purchases she could clearly see the PIN number being
> punched in - do remember your PIN is a valuable and confidential piece of
> information.
> 
> This is exactly the problem, but what does it mean "be wary". What option do
> I have when presented with this, in my view, quite common situation?

The PIN terminals are designed to be taken off their
stands/desks/whatever and cradled in the hand.  So, you can hold it
close to your body whilst you type in the PIN.  If you don't want to do
that, put your other hand over the one typing the PIN.

Usually, there's a "pip" on the 5 key, so that you can find it without
looking.  This is handy for positioning your hand to type in the PIN
blind (i.e. under your other hand, or using your body for cover).

Frankly, I feel that C&P is likely to be the _worst_ thing that's
happened to card security for decades.  The number of opportunities for
PIN thieves to watch the cards' numbers being typed in has multiplied
higely -- and let's not forget the possibility of bent security staff,
using CCTV to do the same thing, then passing on targeting tips to
muggers/pickpockets.


Jon
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