14 DAY TRIAL // While some think that Windows XP ATMs are perfectly fine because they’re running the Embedded version of the operating system, others are doing their best to move to a newer OS version and keep data completely secure and away from hackers.
This is the case of US Bank which has recently announced that its 5,000 ATMs across the country have been upgraded to Windows 7 as part of its efforts to cope with Windows XP’s end of support and protect customer data.
“We are very pleased to have completed our conversion in a timely manner, avoiding future expense or exposure,” said Jeannie Fichtel, executive vice president for U.S. Bank 24-Hour Banking. “Data security is very important to us, and while upgrading to Windows 7 is not our only defense, it is an important piece of our overall security measures.”
While Windows XP Embedded will reach end of support on January 12, 2016, the upgrade to a newer operating system also brings support for new technologies that could make money transactions more secure and also offer customers some new features.
For example, some banks are planning to install fingerprint readers and systems designed to help those with disabilities, but only after completing the upgrade to a newer OS version, such as Windows 7.