Abstract: A system and method for operating a terminal such as an automated teller machine or other type of self-service terminal having a primary partition of a hard disk encrypted with a disk encryption key (DEK). At the initial installation and after every boot, a pre-boot manager encrypts the DEK with a new key encryption key (KEK) and then splits the encrypted DEK into a plurality of encrypted DEK parts. The pre-boot manager next stores the plurality of encrypted DEK parts in randomized storage locations on an unallocated portion of a hard disk and encrypts a list of the randomized storage locations of the plurality of encrypted DEK parts with the KEK and storing the encrypted list in a location on the unallocated portion of the hard disk. Finally, the pre-boot manager stores the KEK, optionally in an obfuscated format, in a location on the unallocated portion of the hard disk.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, and software for computer pre-boot security verification. Some embodiments are implemented during a boot sequence of a computer that controls Self-Service Terminal (SST) operation before a main Operating System (OS) of the computer is loaded. One such embodiment in the form of a method includes starting a pre-boot OS upon start of a computer that controls operation of an SST and identifying any variances between a current state of the computer and data representative of a reference state within a computing environment of the pre-boot OS. This example method further includes performing at least one remedial action when any variance is identified and launching a main OS and stopping and unloading the pre-boot OS when no variance is identified.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, devices and methods for detection of abnormal operation of a Self-Service Terminal (SST). One such embodiment, in the form of a method performed by a SST or remote system, includes receiving information relating to the operation of a SST. The method further includes evaluating the information to identify abnormal operation of the SST.

Abstract: During a pre-boot cycle of a device an algorithm is obtain from a first portion of the hard drive. The algorithm is executed to obtain a key. The key is used to decrypt a second portion of the hard drive to obtain a second key. The second key is used to dynamically decrypt a third portion of the hard drive. A new randomly generated version of the algorithm is produced. The new version of the algorithm is stored in the first portion of the hard drive. The new version of the algorithm is executed to produce a new randomly generated version of the key. The new version of the key is used to re-encrypt the second portion of the hard drive having the second key.

Abstract: During a pre-boot cycle of a device an algorithm is obtain from a first portion of the hard drive. The algorithm is executed to obtain a key. The key is used to decrypt a second portion of the hard drive to obtain a second key. The second key is used to dynamically decrypt a third portion of the hard drive. A new randomly generated version of the algorithm is produced. The new version of the algorithm is stored in the first portion of the hard drive. The new version of the algorithm is executed to produce a new randomly generated version of the key. The new version of the key is used to re-encrypt the second portion of the hard drive having the second key.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, and software for computer pre-boot security verification. Some embodiments are implemented during a boot sequence of a computer that controls Self-Service Terminal (SST) operation before a main Operating System (OS) of the computer is loaded. One such embodiment in the form of a method includes starting a pre-boot OS upon start of a computer that controls operation of an SST and identifying any variances between a current state of the computer and data representative of a reference state within a computing environment of the pre-boot OS. This example method further includes performing at least one remedial action when any variance is identified and launching a main OS and stopping and unloading the pre-boot OS when no variance is identified.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, devices and methods for detection of abnormal operation of a Self-Service Terminal (SST). One such embodiment, in the form of a method performed by a SST or remote system, includes receiving information relating to the operation of a SST. The method further includes evaluating the information to identify abnormal operation of the SST.

Abstract: An Automated Teller Machine, ATM. Persons with physical disabilities sometimes have difficulty negotiating an ATM. Under the invention, two persons are involved in an ATM transaction. One person is equipped with a communicator, such as a cell phone, which contacts an ATM. That person enters necessary transaction data, such as a PIN, a desired cash amount, and so on, using the cell phone. The other person collects the cash dispensed, and any documents, at the ATM itself. This approach eliminates a need for one person to entrust an ATM card and PIN to another person. In another embodiment, the person located at the ATM was previously given a token or passcard by the customer. That person presents the token to the ATM, which prompts the ATM to call the cell phone of the customer, thereby initiating the transaction.

Abstract: A session transfer computer program is described. The program comprises: a credential management component arranged to store credentials used by a first device in a session; and a session transfer component arranged to send a request to a second device for transferring the session thereto.

Abstract: A system and method whereby a customer requiring hire of a taxi can view available taxis on their mobile phone and can select a taxi for hire. An authorisation of payment is carried out and the selected taxi allocated to the customer if the authorisation is successful.

Abstract: A method of dispensing valuable media from a self-service terminal. The method comprises: receiving a request from a customer at the self-service terminal to access an account held with a payment service provider. The terminal then forwards the request to the payment service provider and provides the payment service provider with authentication details from the customer at the self-service terminal. The terminal then receives a request to dispense valuable media from the payment service provider, and dispenses valuable media to the customer in response to the received request. The method may also involve charging the payment service provider an amount at least equal in value to the valuable media dispensed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proving improved avatars in a virtual world are described. Real life transaction data is parsed to identify transactions which relate to users of a virtual world and then details of identified transactions are mapped to attributes in the virtual world. This enables the avatar or environment associated with a user in a virtual world to be updated based on transactional events which occur in the real world.

Abstract: A telecommunications device that is configured to form a connection with another telecommunications device without user intervention; select software that is available on that other device, and receive a copy of that software.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (14 or 214) is described. The terminal has a user interface (22) including transaction entry means (28) and a token reader (50) for reading an identification token. The terminal (14 or 214) is operable to read a token indicating that a transaction is to be entered using a communications device (21), such as a telephone. The terminal further includes contact means (78,82 or 217,282) for contacting the communications device (21) to allow a transaction to be entered thereby. A method of operating a self-service terminal, and a self-service terminal system, are also described.