“Cash machine networks could soon be more susceptible to computer viruses, a security firm has warned. The warning is being issued because many banks are starting to use the Windows operating system in machines. Already there have been four incidents in which Windows viruses have disrupted networks of cash machines running the Microsoft operating system,” Mark Ward reports for BBC News.
“For many years the venerable IBM operating system, known as OS/2, has been the staple software used to power many of the 1.4m cash machines in operation around the world. But IBM will end support for OS/2 in 2006 which is forcing banks to look for alternatives,” Ward reports.
“Todd Thiemann, spokesman for anti-virus firm Trend Micro, said the move to Windows in cash machines was not without risks. Mr Thiemann said research by the TowerGroup showed that 70% of new cash machines being installed were Windows based,” Ward reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Great idea! Let’s use Windows, the most insecure and most heavily attacked operating system, for banks and U.S. Homeland Security! Hey, let’s use Windows to control nuclear missile silos next! And in two ton vehicles that can drive at high speeds. And on planes, yeah, jets – that would be great! Or to run nuclear subs, right after we install the screen doors! Typical institutional stupidity. It’s too bad that the average human IQ isn’t just a few points higher; everything would be so much easier without so many morons mucking everything up all the time.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security awards enterprise agreement to Microsoft – July 15, 2003
Department of Homeland Security chose Microsoft due to time and money limitations – July 21, 2003
U.S. Department of Homeland Security says Windows vulnerable to attack – August 01, 2003
CCIA wants U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security to reconsider buying ‘insecure Microsoft software’ – August 29, 2003
Congress members frustrated with computer viruses wonder how to protect public – September 11, 2003
US Gov’t warns of Internet attacks after new Windows flaw revealed – September 11, 2003
UK Royal Navy will run nuclear bomb-carrying warships on Windows 2000 – September 07, 2004
Nice take, MDN. Too bad indeed!
*groan.. Ballmer’s fav. word of the week.. INDEMNIFICATION
I think it’s time we withdraw all of our money and stuff it under the mattress.
WTF!
Why in the he// would anyone elect Windows as the software of choice for ATMs??? Forget whether you like the Mac or not. Windows has a track record of instability and insecurity.
What kind of monkeys are running this show?
Of course you know that this means the first time a major virus attacks and causes millions of people to lose billions of dollars…
it won’t be MS’s fault. Ballmer will say that banks should have been applying the 40 security patches everyday to prevent attack.
Oh brother.
Why didn’t the banks use Linux or something else??
God’s cruel joke on us Mac users; littering the other 90+% of the world with obtuse people who can’t think for themselves, much less outside the box. Every damn day is like navigating and obstacle course composed of and designed by retards. It’s a wonder anything gets done at all. It’s a miracle when something gets done correctly and well!
“What kind of monkeys are running this show?”
Ballmer
Read the Windows EULA: not for mission-critical environs. Thanks for buying, we’ll take and keep the money, it’s your problem when it shits to bed.
Morons, I love ’em!
We all need to contact our bank(s) and tell them we will stop using their ATM machines – switching banks if necessary, if they go to windows machines.
Does Apple not have some sort of OS X version that could work? Are the only two choices Windows & OS/2?
If the entire banking industry switches to Windows that will make Gates & Ballmer the main terrorists in the world.
I thought banks would at leasy run on some sort of unix system for security and stability, even if it’s not mac based. I know they do her in Oz.
Memo to Self: Withdraw money now.
Are the ATM’s going to have Autoupdate active every day as well as an antivirus program running?
This part of the computer business is the Micro$oft world, there Apple still is a real stranger in the Night. It can be Another challenge for the Apple people to go in to.
Banks have been using Windows in ATMs for ages. Bank America still uses Windows NT in most of it’s ATMS.
iSteve wrote above: “If the entire banking industry switches to Windows that will make Gates & Ballmer the main terrorists in the world.”
How to control Gates & Ballmer? Here’s a scenario: Kerry wins the election and appoints NY Attorney General Elliot Spitzer to head the US Department of Justice. This is a real possibility. Then we’d have a brilliant, principled trust-buster overseeing the Microsoft case. Can you imagine?
Atms have customized version of NT4 that doesnt include most of the bug ridden COM+and ActiveX Controls. They also dont have a direct connection to the web. Viruses are theoretically impossible on these machines. they use dialup directly to the host processor through a four-wire, point-to-point, dedicated telephone line using heavy encryption and firewalls.
This article is here to get more hits…nothing more
I don’t think banks are making the choice. The choice is being made by the ATM machine vendors, such as Diebold (the manufacture of wonderful windows based unverifiable e-voting machine).
The crack about Windows powering nuclear subs isn’t so funny when you realise that’s EXACTLY what Britain’s Royal Navy is planning to do.
Full story: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/06/ams_goes_windows_for_warships/
I think you would be suprised of what exactly Windows does power.
Was it Blaster virus that brought down ATMs? ATMs may be on separate network, however, the server that approves the transaction may not be. Or most likely failure would be one ATM or server become infected during its periodic maintenance. Once one machine is infected, the virus will run through the network to infect the other machines.
What is of more immediate concern is that Windows-based voting machines made by the ATM makers will be in widespread use next week. Some models do not print a recipt and do not allow for a recount. DEMAND A PAPER BALLOT WHEN YOU VOTE IF THESE MACHINES ARE USED WHERE YOU LIVE.
I think I will wait for the next virus alert and then stand in front of a Windows ATM, maybe it will start spewing money the way Balmer spews crap
Buffy,
You could just get a job.
Al,
You could just get a life.
do we have a watchdog list anywhere? Seriously. I don’t want to bank with any institution that uses Windows in their ATM. Does anyone know if US Bank does this? I wil,l drop them like a 10 ton sack of bricks.
You want to use Windows on your desktops. Fine. More power to you. NOT in your god damn ATM network you morons!!