FBI says ATM ‘jackpotting’ attacks are on the rise, and netting hackers millions in stolen cash
In 2010, the famed security researcher Barnaby Jack spectacularly hacked into an ATM cash machine on stage at the Black Hat security conference, forcing it to spit out reams of bank notes in front of an awestruck audience. More than a decade later, ATM jackpotting — as it’s called — has broken free from the realms of theoretical security research into big business in the criminal world. According to a new security bulletin issued by the FBI, hackers have rapidly ramped up their attacks in recent years, with more than 700 attacks on cash dispensers during 2025 alone, netting hackers at least $20 million in stolen cash. Per the bulletin, the FBI says hackers are using a mix of physical access to ATM machines, such as generic keys for unlocking front panels and accessing…
