Russian ATM runs on unactivated copy of Windows

Granted, we'd be a tad more surprised about this if it wasn't found in Russia, but this one defies logic regardless. While we're unsure if tricksters have figured out a way to siphon unthinkable quantities of cash from this particular ATM, the owners should be ashamed of themselves for running a (presumably pirated) unactivated copy of Windows on the public banking machine. Of course, there's quite a few workarounds for this problem if you take the time to look, but seriously, who skimps on a product activation code when running a multi-million (billion?) dollar banking operating?

[Via TheRawFeed]

[David L. @ Jun 9th 2007 2:00PM]

just to be fair, it could be on Microsoft's side as well. For a whole week my store bought retail Vista would show that message every time i reboot the computer even though it was activated. When I decided to read some support instead of calling them I found Microsoft has huge support articles on that as well.

[mg @ Jun 9th 2007 2:01PM]

this happens sometimes when you replace hardware (ram, hdd etc).

[AndrewNeo @ Jun 9th 2007 2:05PM]

Because they're totally beefing up those ATM machines.

[mg @ Jun 9th 2007 2:25PM]

and things break sometimes.

[Adoniteking @ Jun 9th 2007 2:07PM]

wat cant you put windows on?? the "WOW" does start now!

[ryan.cole.morris @ Jun 9th 2007 2:18PM]

You are assuming that the ATM is owned by a bank. Assuming it is large. Assuming that bankers outside of the US are honest.

Many banks in Russia are actually owned by mafia. Rather than investing in safe loans and government bonds, they invest depositor money in brothels, gambling operations, and bootlegging. And they do not have an FDIC to insure depositors against loss in event of bank failure.

Furthermore, many street and convenience store ATM's (even in the US) are not owned by a bank. If there is not a reputable bank logo on it (I'd even go so far as to say if it is not physically attached to a bank building) don't trust it. Non-Bank owned ATMs are not as heavily regulated and can easily skim your card info and video capture your PIN for ID theft/fraud.

Given all that, I'm not the least bit surprised that the people running many of these things would run bootlegged software. My only surprise is that I haven't yet seen it in the US!

[J. Henry @ Jun 9th 2007 2:57PM]

While your comments about white label ATMs do ring true, this isn't one - it's from Bank VTB, one of the largest banks in Russia. On top of that, it's a Wincor Nixdorf ProCash machine, which are the top of the line, as ATMs go (probably not obvious to you, but that machine has a variety of features to prevent card cloning, PIN theft, etc.)

They're very expensive, and WN has engineers to install them in every country. Unfortunately, said engineers are pretty useless, which would explain why it hasn't been activated.

[ryan.cole.morris @ Jun 9th 2007 3:38PM]

Correct, I do not know specific ATM models, as I am on my bank's strategy wing, not operations.

However, "big bank" in Russia does not mean safe. Evidence of that is the epidemic assassination of bankers over the past decade or so, culminating in the murder of the chief banking supervisor in September 2006. These aren't hits by agitated clients; these are mafia killing each other. Yet, we think that the industry in the U.S. is "cut-throat."

Read about the assassination here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article638705.ece
Better than hollywood, this story!

[Sa_n) @ Jun 9th 2007 2:25PM]

(Yes) ATM = Automated Teller Machine. (No) ATM machine = Automated Teller Machine machine.

Any questions?

[Ellianth @ Jun 9th 2007 5:50PM]

Can you please go over the last part please?

[Jeff Lewis @ Jun 9th 2007 2:27PM]

Or.... there's always the OTHER possibility that everyone has, of course, missed in their eagerness to find someone to criticise, put down or generally be nasty towards...

It could just be a mistake.

For all you know, the machine could have been taken in for maintenance and they decided to reinstall the system (maybe the storage media died - it does happen). The technician goofed up and forgot to register the copy before closing the case and shipping it off.

Just because it's not activated doesn't mean it's bootlegged. In fact, it's almost a give away that it's NOT bootlegged - the bootlegger would have hacked it so it didn't need to be activated...

Just for once, try looking for the least conspiratorial, least malicious possibility?

But hey - I'm sure you all have other important things to do - like keep up to date on the latest breath-taking news about Paris Hilton.

[BHSPitMonkey @ Jun 10th 2007 2:25AM]

Hey, what's Paris been up to, anyway?

[Harris @ Jun 9th 2007 2:33PM]

First off, the Russians did not invent communism. Second Linux, is not a communist operating system. Is the charity group that makes bird houses for free and gives them to nursing home communist? Just because they make something for free does not make them communist. The people who make Linux are not being forced to make it which they would be if it were communistic. I love capitalism, and under a capitalistic society people have the right to give something away for free.

[fontendet24 @ Jun 9th 2007 2:37PM]

Piracy works very well only in the poor countries (russia,china), there people can't afford to get the real copy of Windows and etc.
Russia - very poor country. Here the majority of people have the salary of 300 dollars at month. It's no wonder, that piracy is widespread here.

[pencap23 @ Jun 9th 2007 2:53PM]

geeze...


Anyway, I found this funny. So...hahaha

[Chris Gregg @ Jun 9th 2007 2:59PM]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but:

In Soviet Russia, Windows activates YOU!

[John Doe @ Jun 9th 2007 3:05PM]

Wow loocas. You sir are a fucking moron. When you consider that the laws put in place the last 6 years in the US bear a closer resemblance to a communist state I would suggest you really do need to shut your fucking mouth you idiot.
Oh and never mind the fact that Russia is not a communist country at this point. Its like holding a grudge against Germany for WW2.
Seriously dude you really need to go into a doc. You may have some sort of tumor centered around your cerebral cortex. Because its DAMN obvious your critical thinking abilities are pretty much for complete and total shit.

[Seni @ Jun 9th 2007 8:57PM]

Eh.. his comments (i.e. "have you lived under the red dictature? ") lead me to believe he was from somewhere outside the US.. though that doesn't make his comments any more valid..

You comment: "When you consider that the laws put in place the last 6 years in the US bear a closer resemblance to a communist state I would suggest you really do need to shut your fucking mouth" to me, considering the above, appears rather out of line, especially considering The US resembles a communist state very little. I realize it is hip to bring hating the US into random conversations now (it really is), but either you need to research communism and stop using it as a pop culture insult, or your logic for using it is just odd. If anything, the US is moving to a more authoritarian society, where Fascism would be more appropriate.

This wasn't meant to bash your comment, I was just slightly offended and wanted to offer a correction.

[veronica @ Jun 9th 2007 3:14PM]

*not caring about the russian fight in those other comments*

Well, I have seen just that screen on an ATM before. In Trondheim, Norway! I have just a bad phone-cam-picture of it, unfortunately. We laughed real hard when we saw it on a friday afternoon (meaning that probably no one would do anything about it before monday...).

[BoxOfSnoo @ Jun 9th 2007 3:41PM]

Think about this for a second... what OS communists should have on ATMs? Very clever.

[NetworkTech @ Jun 9th 2007 3:44PM]

Its strange that a BANK would have an activation notice being a problem, as when you have a volume license agreement with Microsoft, or an open license, there IS NO ACTIVATION! Corporate disks that are available from the licensing.microsoft.com servers are activation-free for Windows XP SP2... so my guess is that they are using a retail copy of windows, which just plain old doesn't make sense!
still funny though!

[Paul @ Jun 9th 2007 3:46PM]

Come on guys, stop feeding the troll.

[Adoniteking @ Jun 9th 2007 4:11PM]

loocas, my advice...change your username ASAP!!! lmao!

[Harry @ Jun 9th 2007 4:56PM]

Many ATM's are not run by banks, but by private owners who earn money from the $2 service fee. Assuming that this is a 'big bank' run ATM is at best a fair guess, as it is about half as likely owned by a small seperate company.

[Verbatim9 @ Jun 9th 2007 5:36PM]

As has been said before, there's no way that's a pirated version of Windows...software piracy is big business in Russia, and they usually get it right, especially on something key like Windows. High-quality pirated software is sold all over the place, it's easier to get your hands on than legit software is, so there's no way they installed an activation-required version of windows without having a real key: in my experience, it's at least 10x easier to find a pirated version of movies/music/software in Russia than it is to find a legit version, any casual installer would use a pirated copy that never asks for installation.

A Windows product activation window is much better proof of authenticity than any fancy sticker Microsoft could ask you to glue to your case.

[rouss @ Jun 10th 2007 4:14AM]

so you say that it's very easy to get a pirated version of something than legit one? guy you're wrong. I wanna ask you, for a change, that you want to say that there's absolutely no piracy in your native country ?

[Boris @ Jun 9th 2007 5:41PM]

It's funny ))

As an x-russian (:P) i can confirm that this ATM belongs to a bank.
As they say "Only in Russia" :)

2 loocAs(s): I lived 4 14 yrs in USSR, i've experienced all the "buty" of communism, and man, You'r so WRONG.. You've got issues to talk to shrink about, seriously! and Linux has nothing to do with communism, Torwalds built it not for dambasses like you.Quit makin the rush about urself, and STFU, `couse u'r just don't know what u't talking about, придурок.

[TeddyN @ Jun 9th 2007 5:46PM]

WOW, you're SUCH an intellectual loocas. Your insight into the complex political history of the Russian people is true academic gold. Now stop being an attention-seeker.

[STALIN @ Jun 9th 2007 5:47PM]

I'm a communist.
wtf you gonna do about it?

[TeddyN @ Jun 9th 2007 6:21PM]

I was calling you names because of the 'Russians are fucks!' comment rather than the 'linux is communist' comment. The latter doesn't bother me too much, and I don't think it's a matter of right or wrong but of opinion. The post was meant to be funny, and the first thing I read is a rude comment about the people of a country, branding them as all communists and inferior humans.

[McGinley @ Jun 9th 2007 6:23PM]

Loocas,I just reported all of your comments.Heres a definition of "troll".I think you fall under it.


"A troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as an online discussion forum"

[david @ Jun 9th 2007 7:54PM]

LMAO, I think the UFO's are calling you back home loocas. Dick Cheney is driving and Bush is using your coloring book in the back of your spaceship. I really hope you don't vote, you scare me :-P

[Ben @ Jun 9th 2007 8:07PM]

Fuck can this be a discussion about tech shit and not about some idiot trolls bullshit political views, please?

[Brandon @ Jun 9th 2007 8:24PM]

In Mother Russia, Windows pirates you!

[Shaylon Clark @ Jun 9th 2007 8:31PM]

Hm. press yes, and then what happens? Access to the shell? Then to command line. Then free money?

[kompression @ Jun 9th 2007 8:50PM]

Regardless of what country all I have to say is Fuck Communism!!!! And Stalin, Fuck You Too!!! Freedom baby!!!

[Tenzing Norgay @ Jun 10th 2007 12:59AM]

Has anyone considered the infinitely plausible possibility that this is a simple measure of comedy meeting Adobe Photoshop?

[antryg @ Jun 9th 2007 9:00PM]

If it smells like a troll and acts like a troll, it's probably a troll.

[Ian @ Jun 9th 2007 9:43PM]

well besdies all that fighting about russians, that is kinda funny seeing an ATM that uses a pirated copy of windows

[Sundog @ Jun 9th 2007 10:56PM]

Actually, your average Russian is a pretty good person. It's unfortunate that most of the press is given to Russian mobsters and declining U.S.-Russian relations. A trip to towns and villages outside of major metropolitan areas is like taking a significant step back in time.

I would agree with ryan.cole.morris that I would be leary of using my debit or credit card in most ATM's not connected to a bank. However, I did feel comfortable using the ATM at the Marriott in Moscow a couple of times.

Regardless of what anyone says, they're just people, and being just people, they're basically good folk.

I have my own issues with the Russian government, but that's for an entirely different thread. :)

[mastaP @ Jun 9th 2007 11:11PM]

in soviet russia, ATM takes money from you!

[unbelievable @ Jun 9th 2007 11:14PM]

denial isn't just a river in Egypt...

[wslcrew @ Jun 10th 2007 1:08AM]

Solitaire on ATM!

[Molly C @ Jun 10th 2007 2:07AM]

XP runs for 30 days without activation. It looks like this is a new installation, younger than 30 days, that simply hasn't been activated yet. And since there's only 7 days left, XP is prompting the user to activate it. So whoever installed it just neglected to activate it. No biggie.

If this were really a pirated copy, then I assume that the activation prompt wouldn't even come up (if I'm wrong about that, a pirate can correct me).

[BHSPitMonkey @ Jun 10th 2007 2:20AM]

"I can't believe I actually read your comment and now I'm replying to it, what a waste of time..."

Ah, the afterthoughts of some 20-odd people in this thread before me.

[rouss @ Jun 10th 2007 4:21AM]

Why you guys don't understand that 99% of ATM goes with pre-installed copy of windows ? Warning about reactivation can appear after changing some hardware parts. By the way, today in Russia legit versions of Windows are selling in every single software shop.

[CalvinLawson @ Jun 10th 2007 4:49AM]

lmao! loocas, when I read your first post I thought it was hilarious. I even looked up "Communist OS" and had a good laugh at all the funny links. specially this one: http://www.sciforums.com/Mac-the-Satanic-and-Communist-OS-t-7025.html

HAHAHAHAHA

And then I had a horrible thought; maybe you WEREN'T being facetious. Good God. Oh dear Lord. I guess it might not be as funny as I thought.

So if you feel like your opinions aren't respected around here, it's because they're not. Come up with a respectable opinion, and we'll change our minds. Maybe.

Sorry for feeding the troll.

[CalvinLawson @ Jun 10th 2007 4:53AM]

lmao! loocas, when I read your first post I thought it was hilarious. I even looked up "Communist OS" and had a good laugh at all the funny links. specially this one: http://www.sciforums.com/Mac-the-Satanic-and-Communist-OS-t-7025.html

HAHAHAHAHA

And then I had a horrible thought; maybe you WEREN'T being facetious. Good God. Oh dear Lord. I guess it might not be as funny as I thought.

So if you feel like your opinions aren't respected around here, it's because they're not. Come up with a respectable opinion, and we'll change our minds. Maybe.

Sorry for feeding the troll.

[fumikane @ Jun 10th 2007 6:49AM]

well..it could be a case of 'em loading the ATM with a new Windows OS when they found that dialog box popped up. Either way, the IT manager should be fired for forgetting to buy the activation code.

[ethana2 @ Jun 10th 2007 8:04AM]

They should really be using Linux, though, as the first guy pointed out...

And calling the Russians communists is like saying we have democracy in the US. It has not been implemented, it has been attempted, largely failed, and used as a catchphrase. I myself happen to be a democratic socialist who believes in teledemocracy(software implemented in a more rectifying manner than simple majority, of course) and the private ownership of physical property. Don't assume we're not out there, and don't assume that just because the majority does it without thinking, something is correct. Those are the people that use Windows, IE, and QWERTY.
Linux, Firefox, and Colemak, all the way.