After e-rickshaws were hacked using a mobile app, a claim has now emerged—supported by a viral video—that ATMs can also be hacked via a mobile app. The claim made in the viral video has opened our eyes and made us wonder: is this actually possible? While it might seem unlikely given the high security of ATM machines, there have been numerous incidents in the US where hackers have successfully hacked ATMs to withdraw cash. Although no such cases have been reported in India yet, this phenomenon—observed in the US—is known as "ATM Jackpotting." It is, therefore, important to understand what ATM Jackpotting is and how hackers orchestrate the scheme to withdraw money.
How does ATM Jackpotting work?
According to *The Economic Times*, incidents reported in the US reveal that hackers inject malware into ATM machines. This malware infects the software responsible for controlling the ATM's physical operations. Normally, an ATM sends a request to the bank for authorization before dispensing cash; however, hackers bypass this by sending their own commands without waiting for bank approval. This allows them to withdraw cash without using a card or obtaining authorization from the bank's server.
This malware grants criminals direct control over the ATM. Notably, the attack targets the ATM itself rather than the customer's bank account. According to *USA Today*, one method involves removing the ATM's hard drive, connecting it to a computer to copy the malware onto it, and then reinstalling it. Another method involves replacing the original hard drive with a new, infected one and restarting the ATM.
To put it simply, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), ATM Jackpotting is a cybercrime in which hackers use malware to take control of ATM machines and dispense cash without the need for a bank card.
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