Method for improving the security of franking machines

摘要

The method includes applying for an authorised opening of a franking machine for the purpose of an inspection, an opening application being made after entry into the communication mode (300) at a remote data centre and, in response to the opening application made, a new code word Y' being sent from the data centre to the franking machine which, if it is lacking (step 207), sets the franking machine to a first mode (208) and thus effectively disables it. The franking machine can enter a second mode (steps 203-206) by means of a decision criterion (step 202) in the system routine (200) in order to output a warning and request for communication with the data centre to the user of the franking machine. The data centre monitors the behaviour of the user of the franking machine on the basis of data transmitted during the communication.