Cell phone charging slot machine
Also I thought casinos wanted to block out as much "reality" as possible, to keep patrons in the "zone?"
Quote: coilmanAre they downloading your phone memory while charging ?
All of the ones I have seen only have the pins for charging and no data connection. They are more worried about you hacking into the slot machine than they are about your data.
Quote: DRichAll of the ones I have seen only have the pins for charging and no data connection. They are more worried about you hacking into the slot machine than they are about your data.
Interesting. Which pins are used for data transfer? And power?
Quote: RSInteresting. Which pins are used for data transfer? And power?
Pin 1 is +5v Pin 4 is Gnd
2&3 are data
I have never run into a problem at any Vegas casino about shooting photos at slot machines to show jackpots. The only problem I ran into was shooting photos with patrons in view.
Is it remotely possible that someone could find a way to alter a phone to transfer data though the charging pins? I would assume not. I can't imagine a casino/games manufacturer would take that risk.But on the other hand technology+ hackers = who the hell knows.Quote: DRichPin 1 is +5v Pin 4 is Gnd
2&3 are data
Until you try to gather evidence the machines are paying incorrect (like in NY)Quote: AlanMendelsonRed Rock has chargers for your cell phones at higher limit slots, and I was told the Caesars poker room also has chargers for phones at the table.
I have never run into a problem at any Vegas casino about shooting photos at slot machines to show jackpots. The only problem I ran into was shooting photos with patrons in view.
Quote: AxelWolfIs it remotely possible that someone could find a way to alter a phone to transfer data though the charging pins? I would assume not. I can't imagine a casino/games manufacturer would take that risk.But on the other hand technology+ hackers = who the hell knows.
If anything, I think you'd have to modify the cable itself, where it connects with the USB outlet. But even then -- I don't see that getting anywhere, since the pins likely only have charging power and not the ability to transfer data. Plus -- where would the data even go?
It'd be like trying to send data to an electrical outlet.
Quote: RSIf anything, I think you'd have to modify the cable itself, where it connects with the USB outlet. But even then -- I don't see that getting anywhere, since the pins likely only have charging power and not the ability to transfer data. Plus -- where would the data even go?
It'd be like trying to send data to an electrical outlet.
Yea, no chance that port is hooked up to anything other than 5 volts DC.
Quote: gamerfreakQuote: RSIf anything, I think you'd have to modify the cable itself, where it connects with the USB outlet. But even then -- I don't see that getting anywhere, since the pins likely only have charging power and not the ability to transfer data. Plus -- where would the data even go?
It'd be like trying to send data to an electrical outlet.
Yea, no chance that port is hooked up to anything other than 5 volts DC.
That was my thought. I am sure they are just hook to electric and go no where near the computer. I saw these in Monte Carlo near the front as we were running through the casino trying to get to a show.
It is a real concern. For example, cells can be recharged via a USB cable connection to a laptop or PC, but that connection also provides a network connection between the devices. Usually you are prompted on the cell to "trust" the other device before access to cell data is allowed. The opportunity for a hack is there. I will be looking for the power/ground pins only before using a public charging station. If "trust" is granted the foreign device can read and delete cell data, such as photos. It's not much of a stretch to imagine hacked access could do much more without permission.Quote: AlanMendelsonAre you guys really concerned about being hacked when your cell phone is plugged into a charging station? Or was this a joke that took on a life of its own?
Is your reply to my post? Ever hear of a botnet? If so, do you think the hackers behind them are spear phishing or using buckshot?Quote: GWAEReally? You are that worried about it? Then you should just stay off the grid. If someone wants to hack they aren't wasting their time going after the 45 people who might use that one port. They are going after big business and their data.
Quote: BleedingChipsSlowlyIs your reply to my post? Ever hear of a botnet? If so, do you think the hackers behind them are spear phishing or using buckshot?
I don't know what those words are. I just elect to not worry about it. Besides I don't do anything on my phone that can be hcaked anyways.
Quote: BleedingChipsSlowlyIt is a real concern. For example, cells can be recharged via a USB cable connection to a laptop or PC, but that connection also provides a network connection between the devices. Usually you are prompted on the cell to "trust" the other device before access to cell data is allowed. The opportunity for a hack is there. I will be looking for the power/ground pins only before using a public charging station. If "trust" is granted the foreign device can read and delete cell data, such as photos. It's not much of a stretch to imagine hacked access could do much more without permission.
I agree it's in a realm of physical possibility, but why would a casino hack your phone?
I think players having physical access to a data port on a machine is literally something casino execs have nightmares about.
Yes, the casino probably has no interest in hacking cells, but you are also banking on the integrity of the casino system security if you connect with their system on a network level. Consider the recent case of Juniper firewalls for which hack code was discovered in their programming: the specialized systems put in place to ensure security are compromised. I would expect the casino to have an air-gap between their gaming systems and any Internet-facing devices, but as the Iranians discovered with the Stuxnet attack on their centrifuges, even that can be defeated. If the casinos really wanted to hack cells they probably would have used a Wi-Fi service based attack by now. How many people even blink an eye when connecting to the nearest free Wi-Fi? I'm just talkin' possibilities, not draw your pistol and put your back to the wall.Quote: gamerfreakI agree it's in a realm of physical possibility, but why would a casino hack your phone?
Absolutely! However, the greatest threat is from those who have been granted access to the systems.Quote: gamerfreakI think players having physical access to a data port on a machine is literally something casino execs have nightmares about.
You would think that's the case unfortunately sometimes people just do things because they can. You could ask yourself why would anyone make up multiple names and sock puppet accounts on a forum just to make up a bunch of dumb stuff.Quote: GWAEReally? You are that worried about it? Then you should just stay off the grid. If someone wants to hack they aren't wasting their time going after the 45 people who might use that one port. They are going after big business and their data.
As far as someone putting. Is some hack on a charging station well not worried about it and I'm willing to take the risk.
It would suck if something messed up my phone.
Quote: AxelWolfYou would think that's the case unfortunately sometimes people just do things because they can. You could ask yourself why would anyone make up multiple names and sock puppet accounts on a forum just to make up a bunch of dumb stuff.
As far as someone putting. Is some hack on a charging station well not worried about it and I'm willing to take the risk.
It would suck if something messed up my phone.
Haha yeah very true. I recant my station.
In all seriousness there is no way a casino wants your phone info if you are playing slots. Now if people are at a blackjack table then I could understand the worry.
Quote: IbeatyouracesMGM Detroit here won't even let you plug into a wall socket any longer. They'd rather you leave to charge it up.
For $10 you can recharge anywhere you want
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-portable-charger-cobalt-blue/4212601.p?id=1219708509417&skuId=4212601
Quote: coilmanFor $10 you can recharge anywhere you want
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-portable-charger-cobalt-blue/4212601.p?id=1219708509417&skuId=4212601
I have 2. Great purchase IMO. My wife uses her camera on the phone more than the phone. On trips we would have to stop and charge for half hour. Now we can charge while walking.
Quote: gamerfreak
I agree it's in a realm of physical possibility, but why would a casino hack your phone?
I think players having physical access to a data port on a machine is literally something casino execs have nightmares about.
link to original post
Anyone in the high limit room plugging in to charge is presumably a high value target.
While the port itself may be safe, a malicious third party might attach a skimmer.
I might recharge my external battery pack, but not my phone.
mod note - this thread was necromanced, and is back in the recent list.
The connection being player tracking and the CPU is limited to amount wagered and amount won, and they don't even share the same power supply. Most people think that player tracking and the slot machine are one and the same. They are not. One key will open the slot machine but will not open the CPU. That requires a different key.
Slot machines are the most failsafe and protected machines I have ever seen. It would be easier to rob an ATM.
Quote: skonkwonkQuote: KevinAANo one at the casino is going to connect the CPU of the slot machine to the cell phone port to allow someone to hack the game. That would be a gaming violation and an incredibly stupid business decision. Casino execs need to worry about cheaters at the table games (players and dealers), not slot techs connecting the CPU to the cell phone port.
The connection being player tracking and the CPU is limited to amount wagered and amount won, and they don't even share the same power supply. Most people think that player tracking and the slot machine are one and the same. They are not. One key will open the slot machine but will not open the CPU. That requires a different key.
Slot machines are the most failsafe and protected machines I have ever seen. It would be easier to rob an ATM.
link to original post
Yeah it isn't like slot machines are subjected to more scams than anything, ever.....
link to original post
Details?
How do you scam a slot machine? (if it's been produced less than 25 years ago)
Quote: KevinAANo one at the casino is going to connect the CPU of the slot machine to the cell phone port to allow someone to hack the game. That would be a gaming violation and an incredibly stupid business decision. Casino execs need to worry about cheaters at the table games (players and dealers), not slot techs connecting the CPU to the cell phone port.
The connection being player tracking and the CPU is limited to amount wagered and amount won, and they don't even share the same power supply. Most people think that player tracking and the slot machine are one and the same. They are not. One key will open the slot machine but will not open the CPU. That requires a different key.
Slot machines are the most failsafe and protected machines I have ever seen. It would be easier to rob an ATM.
link to original post
I believe in Nevada you can only connect the power lines of the USB externally on a gaming device. The data lines are not hooked up.
Quote: KevinAAQuote: skonkwonkQuote: KevinAANo one at the casino is going to connect the CPU of the slot machine to the cell phone port to allow someone to hack the game. That would be a gaming violation and an incredibly stupid business decision. Casino execs need to worry about cheaters at the table games (players and dealers), not slot techs connecting the CPU to the cell phone port.
The connection being player tracking and the CPU is limited to amount wagered and amount won, and they don't even share the same power supply. Most people think that player tracking and the slot machine are one and the same. They are not. One key will open the slot machine but will not open the CPU. That requires a different key.
Slot machines are the most failsafe and protected machines I have ever seen. It would be easier to rob an ATM.
link to original post
Yeah it isn't like slot machines are subjected to more scams than anything, ever.....
link to original post
Details?
How do you scam a slot machine? (if it's been produced less than 25 years ago)
link to original post
There are lots of ways to do it but clearly they are illegal in most jurisdictions. The cleverest one I remember was on the Aristocrat machines you could just analyze the previous spins and time it for winning combinations. It was a huge problem but did not get a lot of press because the casino industry discouraged reporting of it.
Speaking of possibly stealing phone data, I saw an invention where you use your phone to be able to play a slot machine and I posted something like,"Using your phone to play a slot machine seems like a potential way to get a hacker to steal your money, what a potential way to get robbed and such an incredibly bad idea!" 😱😳
Posters responded something like,"I can't believe that I 100 percent agree with Nathan, I also think that that's a potential way to get a hacker to steal money and a bad idea." 😱😳
Quote: ChumpChangeI was about to leave a casino recently and I stopped to take a picture of the player's kiosk that had my point totals since I can't remember them, and a few seconds after I snapped the photo I got a text from someone who hasn't texted me in months. It was like she was watching me take the photo and had followed me out there. She just commented on the cold weather, and my car was frosty when I got outside. I'm checking my car app to see if anything is amiss. Is she getting location data from it? The first night there was no problem getting into the app. A couple days later it was asking for a username and password instead of a fingerprint. It still says 1 authorized user, so she wasn't added to the app. This is the second time she's texted when I've been out at a casino far away from home, and she just never texts.
link to original post
Danger! Danger! Scammers will often talk about the weather where you are to create the illusion that they are local. It sure sounds like somebody hacked something of yours, although it might just be coincidence that you were at a casino when you got these messages. Same casino both times?
Quote: ChumpChangeNo, different ones. But a neighbor may be being contacted to see if my car is in my parking lot, idk. Also, one of the pit bosses at the recent casino looks so much like my brother, I have to do a triple take, but he isn't.
link to original post
My father-in-law started getting noticeably fewer interesting calls and texts after turning off wifi on his phone.
Is he shutting it off just while he isn't using the Wi-Fi, or has he basically permanently disabled it?Quote: DieterQuote: ChumpChangeNo, different ones. But a neighbor may be being contacted to see if my car is in my parking lot, idk. Also, one of the pit bosses at the recent casino looks so much like my brother, I have to do a triple take, but he isn't.
link to original post
My father-in-law started getting noticeably fewer interesting calls and texts after turning off wifi on his phone.
link to original post
Quote: AxelWolfIs he shutting it off just while he isn't using the Wi-Fi, or has he basically permanently disabled it?Quote: DieterQuote: ChumpChangeNo, different ones. But a neighbor may be being contacted to see if my car is in my parking lot, idk. Also, one of the pit bosses at the recent casino looks so much like my brother, I have to do a triple take, but he isn't.
link to original post
My father-in-law started getting noticeably fewer interesting calls and texts after turning off wifi on his phone.
link to original post
link to original post
He turned off wifi after noticing that when he drove by a certain area, he would consistently get a promotional text message. There was a subtle drop in cold calls after wifi switched off.
He'll turn wifi on at home.
No idea if this idea will benefit you, but casinos are exactly the types of places that might attempt to build patron engagement by leveraging wifi connection information to send promotional messages.
Conversely, if you want the junk mail, by all means turn on wifi and download their app.
