The majority of Nigerian ATMs are still running
on the Windows XP operating system (OS) in spite of the fact there will
be no security updates available for the platform from April 8.
Support for Windows XP is set to end
after Microsoft released a Security Intelligence Report which found PCs
running on the OS were six times more vulnerable to threats.
I can confirm ATM machines of banks in Lagos,
Abuja, Ibadan, Ondo State are still using the OS, even though no security updates
will be available after next week.
Staff at the banks said they were not aware of any
plans to change the OS, instead saying their ATM’s software
applications are up-to-date.
“Our e-banking platform is very secured which means that
our ATM users should not be threatened by the discontinuation of Windows
XP security updates. We also have the best team of security experts who
are looking into the issue you raised and I believe they will prompt
the bank to act accordingly,” a member of staff at First Bank of Nigeria
said.
ATM users did not express concern
over the fate of financial security when the grace period for upgrade
lapses and the security updates are discontinued.
“I’m just hearing about that but I think the banks know
what it means for their brand and would put necessary steps in place to
avert crisis,” one said.
Another said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will direct the banks on what to do.
“I don’t think the banks can act on their own if the issue
is so serious; at best, they will wait on the CBN for direction,” she
said.
The central bank is yet to issue any directive on ATM operating systems.
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