Oracle Corporation
Method and apparatus for passively detecting card skimmers based on EMI fingerprints

Abstract:

A system is provided that detects a card skimmer in a target system, wherein the card skimmer surreptitiously gathers credit/debit card information during operation of the target system. This system first gathers target electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals by monitoring EMI signals generated by the target system through an external scanner with a directional antenna. Next, the system generates a target EMI fingerprint from the target EMI signals. The system then compares the target EMI fingerprint against a reference EMI fingerprint for the target system to determine whether the target system contains a card skimmer.