Abstract: A method of suppressing unwanted windows created by an operating system is described. The method comprises: monitoring calls from the operating system relating to creation of a window and ascertaining if a monitored call relates to creation of a window of a type corresponding to a window type to be blocked. If the window is not of a type that is to be blocked, then the method involves displaying the window. If the window is of a type that is to be blocked, then the method involves: registering a new window procedure for that window; and returning an error message to the operating system using the new window procedure to suppress display of the window.

Abstract: A method of providing secure authentication of a service user at a self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: detecting attempted access by the service user to a restricted function on the self-service terminal and ascertaining if a predefined operating system account is present on the terminal. In the event that the predefined operating system account is not present, then the method comprises permitting access to the restricted function by the service user. In the event that the predefined operating system account is present, then the method comprises requesting the service user to provide login credentials and authenticating the login credentials using the operating system account. If the login credentials are not authenticated, access to the restricted function is denied; whereas, if the login credentials are authenticated, access to the restricted function is permitted.

Abstract: A method of suppressing unwanted windows created by an operating system is described. The method comprises: monitoring calls from the operating system relating to creation of a window and ascertaining if a monitored call relates to creation of a window of a type corresponding to a window type to be blocked. If the window is not of a type that is to be blocked, then the method involves displaying the window. If the window is of a type that is to be blocked, then the method involves: registering a new window procedure for that window; and returning an error message to the operating system using the new window procedure to suppress display of the window.

Abstract: A method of providing secure authentication of a service user at a self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: detecting attempted access by the service user to a restricted function on the self-service terminal and ascertaining if a predefined operating system account is present on the terminal. In the event that the predefined operating system account is not present, then the method comprises permitting access to the restricted function by the service user. In the event that the predefined operating system account is present, then the method comprises requesting the service user to provide login credentials and authenticating the login credentials using the operating system account. If the login credentials are not authenticated, access to the restricted function is denied; whereas, if the login credentials are authenticated, access to the restricted function is permitted.