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Vienna – Withdrawing cash from an ATM remains part of everyday life for many people in Austria, even as digital payments continue to grow. One button on the machine, however, is often overlooked: the red “Cancel” key. Most customers only use it when they accidentally start the wrong transaction. Yet this button once played a far more important role – and in certain situations, it still does.
A Look Back: What the “Cancel” Button Was Originally For
In the early generations of ATMs, a session stayed active until the customer manually ended it or until the machine timed out. As long as the session remained open, the ATM continued to accept inputs. Criminals could exploit this window through so‑called session hijacking, taking over the transaction after the customer walked away.
Pressing “Cancel” immediately terminated the session, cutting off any opportunity for manipulation. It was a simple but effective safety measure.
Modern ATMs in Austria Close Sessions Automatically
Today, Austrian banks operate almost exclusively with EMV chip cards and updated software standards. These systems automatically end the transaction as soon as both the card and the cash have been removed. The machine switches back into standby mode within seconds, leaving no open session behind.
Even if customers still press the “Cancel” button out of habit, it usually doesn’t add extra protection at Austrian or EU‑standard ATMs. The software already handles the safety step.
When the Old Habit Still Helps
While Austria and most EU countries use modern systems, the situation abroad can be very different. In many non‑EU regions, multibank ATMs are still common, and some rely on outdated technology.
According to industry analyses, only around 72 percent of ATMs worldwide are EMV‑capable. That means roughly one in four machines still operates with older standards.
At such devices, the session may remain active until the user explicitly ends it. If the screen stays lit unusually long after dispensing cash or the machine asks you to confirm the end of the session, pressing “Cancel” is a smart extra step. The same applies to very old ATMs in rural self‑service areas, where a manual reset is still required.
Practical Tips for Safe ATM Use in Austria
Even with modern technology, the most effective protection remains your own awareness:
- Choose bright, busy locations – ATMs inside bank foyers or shopping centres are safer than isolated street machines.
- Cover your PIN entry – shielding the keypad prevents shoulder‑surfing.
- Check your account regularly – suspicious withdrawals are easier to dispute when spotted early.
- Inspect the card slot – Austrian ATMs are equipped with sensors and cameras, but a quick visual check helps detect tampering.
For everyday withdrawals in Austria, pressing “Cancel” after taking your cash won’t significantly change your security. But when travelling in countries with older ATM infrastructure – or when a machine behaves strangely – the red button remains a quick, effective reflex that never hurts.
- Hector Pascua/picture: pixabay.com
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