Malware that steals from point-of-sale systems detected

A data stealer designed to collect users' personally identifiable information from point-of-sale (POS) systems has been detected.

Research by Trend Micro said that the malware was found in POS systems at hotels and other businesses. “Currently, the arrival infector remains undetermined,” said Jason Pantig, senior threat response engineer at the Tokyo-based security software company. However, it is unlikely that the malware is downloaded from malicious sites, as the POS systems are typically not used for web browsing.

Point-of-sale terminals are typically where payment for goods and services occur, Pantig said. "Given the wealth of data found on these payment hubs, it's expected that these are the next targets of cyber criminal activities.”

The company's analysis determined that BKDR_DEXTR.A, also known as Dexter, downloads files, sends information and checks memory for information, among other tasks.
“The center piece of the malware is its ability to collect and send certain information to a remote server,” said Pantig. Some of the data that can be stolen from POS systems includes username, hostnames, a key to decrypt the sent information, OS information and a list of running processes, he said.

This data is then presumably duplicated by remote malicious users. "The malware executable is found to be packed or encrypted and when loaded, it loads long garbage code to decrypt the actual code," he said. However, this decryption routine involves only a combination of XOR and ADD instructions, with the use of a hardcoded key. The perpetrators behind Dexter malware probably did this to make analysis difficult, he added.

Trend Micro further said that unlike other spyware, like Zeus and SpyEye, this malware does not directly infect users' systems to gather data, such as payment card details. “Instead, the crooks behind BKDR_DEXTR figured that they can generate the same result by infecting certain POS systems,” Pantig said.

* Thanks to scmagazine.com

Point of Sale (POS) Hardware

Point of Sale (POS) Hardware refers to all the physical components that make up a Point of Sale (POS) system. POS Hardware includes Computers, Receipt Printers, Cash Drawers, Touch Screens, Customer Displays, Card Readers, POS Keyboards and Portable Terminals. These are required for the efficient and smooth running of any point of sale system.

The point of sale hardware required to set-up an effective point of sale system depends on a number of factors, which include: the size of your business, the payment options, required number of point of sale terminals and so on. By taking these factors into consideration, you will be able to identify and acquire the right point of sale hardware for your point of sale system.

Once you have your requirements clearly defined, you can approach a programmer to custom code the point of sale software for you or you can approach established software vendors that can help you acquire the right POS software for your business. It is important to select a software package that is compatible with your hardware for your system to run smoothly.

With some Point of sale solutions there might be a need to set-up a local area network, which interlinks the POS terminals and the server. This set-up is very common in very large organizations and supermarkets that serve hundreds to thousands of customers each day. However, for a small business, a computer with the POS software installed will work perfectly.

It is important to approach a knowledgeable and experienced software developer or I. T.

support personnel for advice on the best software and hardware to use for your POS system. Input from retailers already using a similar solution will also help you better understand how the whole system works and the implementation process.

It is highly recommended that you purchase your equipment from suppliers that are willing to provide technical support to help you set-up the system and effectively manage it. This will same you a lot of time and money in the long run. Every system has its own strengths and weaknesses but you will need to find a solution that closely matches your functional and security requirements.

If you are looking for a cost effective and easy to manage point of sale system for your business, then Exit Retail Solutions can help you get your business set-up. Click here to find out more about their Point Of Sale Software solution.

Cash management systems

Cash management systems are something that a business cannot do without. These systems comprise software solutions and services designed to manage liquidity, account balances, payments, and other business functions related to money. Money is the fuel that makes a business run in the corporate highway. If a business runs out of cash, it may leave the company stranded on the side of the corporate road. The last thing any owner would want is to walk for hundreds of miles and watch competitors pass by. This is where POS Windows systems come in.

Point of Sale (POS) systems are computer hardware and software networks that record sales of retail goods. They are typically found at counters in grocery stores and boutiques. POS systems are virtually cash registers. They are, however, based integrated to a computer which gives the store owner or manager more leverage on supervising the vast amount of data about the business. For instance, POS system terminals can be networked to other terminals and to a server in another location. In addition, it can be expanded with handheld devices that are linked wirelessly.

The biggest advantage of a POS system over a traditional cash register is the sophisticated and fully-detailed sales reports it provides. POS systems allow one to analyze sales in different ways. With several POS systems available on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one is appropriate for a business. Here are some ways to follow on purchasing a POS system for a particular business.

Establish your Budget

Purchasing POS Windows systems can be quite an expensive affair. The price can be anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 per station, including the scanners, software, installation, training, support, and additional costs for integration into the company's existing systems. Make sure to allot a reasonable budget for the purchase so you will not be putting too much strain on your company's finances.

Identify Business Needs

Determine any particular needs of your business. This can help you narrow down the search as there are literally hundreds of retail software packages available today. Some software systems are designed for specific businesses such as boutiques, restaurants, and gift shops. There are others that are specifically designed for fast-moving retailers with thousands of daily transactions.

Ask Suggestions

When choosing POS Windows systems, it is also important to consider your customers. Ask customers about the aspects that they want the business to improve on. Customers can give a high-end perspective and deliberation on their shopping experience. Use their suggestions as basis on how you can choose a Windows-operated POS system for your business.

What You Should Know About POS Software

The same with the system, POS software is simple to learn. Majority of the POS sellers will instruct personnel on how the system functions. Installing and maintaining the software is trouble-free. It can be incorporated into other applications so that all aspects of the supervision of commerce can be seen in one main place. This further gives the consumer better hold of the business. Might as well, one can learn it him/herself since there is a guide along with the purchase of the software. Aside from the manual given to the user, technical support can also be asked through phone call.

Using POS software, it is easier to follow through the customer's personal information, personnel payroll, client billing and shipping, inventory management as well as the vendor listings. One can also keep track of the everyday listings and daily sales report of the business as well as the period where there is more number of customers coming in of the establishment. It is also good that POS system can assess the most in-demand products that are being purchased by the regular clients.

Deciding on what POS software to choose shall be based on the complexity of the business as well as the cash you have on hand. You can choose to purchase a custom POS package or the one that is available off-the-shelf. In many points, both of the packages have their share of advantages and disadvantages. Assessing the two, the custom solution is better since it is almost complete with the functions that are needed for your business; only that it cost higher than the off-the-shelf package. The latter, on the other hand, is cheaper but it lacks some important custom modules that can be found with the custom solution.

As you choose, certain aspects have to be looked into regarding the system. Such include billing and invoicing, stock control and accounting. The billing function of the POS software is essential to the accuracy of all the transactions being made as well as the efficient and quick payment processes. The accounting function ensures updated sales report and money matters. The last is the stock control system that shall integrate with the accounting and billing functions. This integration allows accuracy to the stock control. These functions signify that the management of the business can be done automatically.

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