10/10/2013 Nordstrom
Devices were attached to multiple cash registers to copy charge card information after it was scanned. About one inch long this purple colored skimmer connects to the computer in the PS/2 connector designed for keyboards. The keyboard proper was then plugged into the skimmer. Why intercept the keyboard data link? Many cash register systems use keyboards with built in card swipers.
Anyone who could physically reach the keyboard connector could make the change in seconds. These device had to be removed to harvest the stolen information. Some variants of these devices have short-range wireless capability so their data can be harvested remotely.
The number of compromised accounts and what was taken has not been disclosed.
