ATM machines using XP

[casey.o]

http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/banks-struggle-to-get-atms-off-windows-xp/d/d-id/1110965

Accordibng to this article. most ATM machines have been using XP since
the early 2000s. I knew they once used OS2, and even though OS2 is
about dead, I thought they still used it. I'd think OS2, (even if it's
no longer supported), would be a lot safer, since it's not affected by
malware.

To me, using XP or upcoming Win 7 or 8, seems like a lot of vunerable
software, which seems like an excessive amount of computer power just to
run one task. Actually, it would make more sense to be running a Unix
based OS, such as Linux. Linux is not affected by all the malware
issues as Windows, and they could have a stripped down version that only
performs their one task.

Is there some reason they use Windows? Or maybe it's just MS marketting
at work......

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>,

http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/banks-struggle-to-get-atms-off-win
dows-xp/d/d-id/1110965

Accordibng to this article. most ATM machines have been using XP since

(That's AT machines, or ATMs - not ATM machines!)

the early 2000s. I knew they once used OS2, and even though OS2 is
about dead, I thought they still used it. I'd think OS2, (even if it's
no longer supported), would be a lot safer, since it's not affected by
malware.

To me, using XP or upcoming Win 7 or 8, seems like a lot of vunerable
software, which seems like an excessive amount of computer power just to
run one task. Actually, it would make more sense to be running a Unix
based OS, such as Linux. Linux is not affected by all the malware
issues as Windows, and they could have a stripped down version that only
performs their one task.

That's what in effect they do - it's just that the stripped down version
they are using happens to be Windows-based not Linux-based. It doesn't
have that much in common with the XP you and I are using.

Is there some reason they use Windows? Or maybe it's just MS marketting
at work......

Well, I presume originally there were more programmers used to Windows
than Unix/Linux, all those years ago (and probably still).