Volume 3, No. 5, Sept-Oct 2012 International Journal Of Advanced Research In Computer Science RESEARCH PAPER Available Online at www.ijarcs.info © 2010, IJARCS All Rights Reserved 164 ISSN No. 0976-5697 Robust Authentication Model for ATM: a Biometric Strategy Measure for Enhancing E-Banking Security in Nigeria Moses Okechukwu Onyesolu* Department of Computer Science Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria. mo.onyesolu@unizik.edu.ng McChester Odoh Department of Computer Science Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria. oguzuruodo@gmail.com Allwell Ononiwu Akanwa Department of Computer Science Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria. kingallwell@yahoo.com Victor Chekume Nwasor Directorate of ICT Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria. vnwasor@yahoo.com Abstract: Crimes at automated teller machines (ATMs) are issues that face customers and bank operators. A lot of criminals tamper with ATM terminals and steal customers’ card details by illegal means. Security of data from unauthorized access, unauthorized modification and destruction of data most especially in ATM systems has been a challenge. The researchers in this work responded to this challenge by developing and simulating a robust fingerprint authentication model for ATM security. The techniques of the Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM), Object Oriented Analysis and Design Methodology (OOADM) and the prototyping methodology were adopted for the systematic study and design of the model. Thereafter, we deployed Microsoft Visual C# and MySQL tools to implement the designed system. The system was interfaced with DigitalPersona, a fingerprint reader. The result is a robust fingerprint authentication model for ATM security. Keywords- ATM, e-banking, fingerprint, PIN, security I. INTRODUCTION Nigeria as a nation is among the growing number of countries where almost every facet of her operations or activities is linked via electronic means. The electronic means of transacting business has therefore given customers the option of transacting business at ease. One area where businesses are transacted electronically is the banking sector; this gave rise to electronic banking (e-banking). Electronic banking (also known as online banking or Internet banking) allows customers of a financial institution to conduct financial transactions on a secure website operated by the institution, which can be a retail or virtual bank, credit union or building society [1]. Security is the protection of data from unauthorized access to prevent data loss, unauthorized modification and destruction. Electronic security is any tool, technique or process that protects a system’s information assets from threats to confidentiality, integrity, or availability [2]. The importance of security and the need for its effective and efficient management in Nigerian banks cannot be overemphasized. Securing the business environment poses a lot of concern for both the management and customers of the banks. Considering the fact that modern day banking is virtually online, i.e., electronic banking (e-banking), there must be a need for allaying the fears of the customers. The paper is arranged as follows. Section II provided the background of ATM security and the need for biometrics. Section III introduced the related works on biometric strategy measure for ATM. Section IV described the materials and methods to develop the robust authentication model. Section V presented the results obtained and the discussions on the results. Section VI concluded the paper. II. RESEARCH BACKGROUND Globally, ATMs have been adopted by banks because they offer considerable benefits to both banks and their depositors. ATMs enable depositors to withdraw cash at more convenient time and places than during banking hours at branches. In addition, ATMs reduce the costs of servicing some depositor demands. These potential benefits are multiplied when banks share their ATMs, allowing depositors of other banks to access their accounts through a bank’s ATM [3]. Banks have deployed ATMs principally to increase their market share and to reduce cost as ATMs are capable of handling more transactions per unit of time than are tellers [4]. In Nigeria the deployment of ATM by banks and its use by bank customers is just gaining ground and has burgeoned in recent times. This has happened especially after the recent consolidation of banks, which has in all probability, made it possible for more banks to afford to deploy ATMs or at least become part of shared networks [5]. The increased deployment of ATMs in the banking sector has made the issue of technology relevance important. ATM services have a history that is less than twenty years in Nigeria. At first, they were operated as elitist services designed for those desirous of exclusive service. Cards were rare and the process for obtaining them tortuous. Presently, the use of ATM cards has been widely promoted. Banks no longer appear to want personal contact with their customers. Some banks have resorted to penalizing the customer as it were, for not possessing an