Some Korean banks did that because of app compatibility issues

Jun 12, 2014 12:38 GMT  ·  By

We already know that Windows XP no longer receives updates and security patches since April 8, so everyone still running this particular OS version should upgrade as soon as possible.

At the same time, we also know that many of the ATMs worldwide are running Windows XP, which clearly puts bank customers at risk and calls for organizations operating these cash machines to speed up the transition process to another platform, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.

It turns out, however, that some banks in Korea already completed the transition to Windows 7, but then decided to switch back to Windows XP because of some app incompatibilities.

A report by Business Korea reveals that a number of downgrades to Windows XP have already been performed because of this reason.

“Some problems with Windows 7 application compatibility caused the banks to downgrade some ATMs from Windows 7 back to Windows XP,” the report states, adding that switching from XP to another platform is still a key issue for many of the banks in the country.

Representatives of a number of unnamed banks are saying that the migration process is under way right now, but it could still take a while until all ATMs are securely upgraded to Windows 7.

“Most of the ATMs in the country are said to be based on Windows XP, but Windows 7 is already installed on nearly half of them. We are working to switch software from Windows XP to Windows 7. The work does not cost any extra money, because it is not necessary to replace the existing OS with a new one. So, there will be no burden of replacement costs. And also, it is possible to strengthen ATM security with minimal cost,” a bank official was quoted as saying by the aforementioned source.

As far as the PC market is concerned, Windows XP remains the second most-used operating system across the world and just like in the banking industry, upgrading to a newer platform takes a while.

A recently discovered registry tweak that allows Windows XP machines to be identified as POSReady 2009 and thus continue receiving updates is still available right now despite the Patch Tuesday fix released by Microsoft this week.

The company obviously warns that resorting to such tricks could put data at risk and recommends everyone still on Windows XP to upgrade as soon as possible and make sure that their computers are perfectly secure.