Indian Banks switching to Linux, rather than taking extended Windows XP Suppor

[Reefa]

As we have reported you earlier that Microsoft is pulling out their Windows XP support after April 8 2014. Since a vast majority of bank ATMs around the world currently runs on Windows XP, but if they’ll continue sticking to it after the deadline, then they’ll be exposed to all kinds of security threats, as Microsoft will no longer provide the security patches thereafter.

Many countries’ Banks have got a way out, many banks have arranged or are in the process of arranging extended support for Windows XP for which they are ready to pay Microsoft millions of dollars, but not in the case of India.

Yes, India will never feed Microsoft for providing extra support to the older version; rather they'll switch over to free open source software BOSS Linux (Bharat Operating System Solutions) in the days to come when Microsoft stops providing technical assistance for Windows XP.

India has around 115,000 ATMs across the country at present and the counts will go up in coming days, but the end of life for XP will not affect banks and functioning of ATMs as the financial institutions across the country are well prepared for life without the much popular OS, according to the Indian Banks Association (IBA).

IBA says neither branches nor cash vending machines will be shut down once Microsoft stops support for the system from April 8.

"Banks are definitely well-prepared and the industry is seized of the matter. I am very sure that you will not see a problem where ATMs or bank counters are shut because of this," said the industry lobby's chief executive MV Tanksale at an event in Mumbai. "Only the old ATMs may face some problem as all the newer machines are running on newer platforms," he added.

The Tamil Nadu State Government's recent advises all its departments to move on to free open source software BOSS Linux as a key benefit of it will ultimately be a huge saving to the government.

"Consider installing BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions) Linux as one of the mandatory operating system," said the order issued by the TN Information Technology Department. "The huge investment cost involved in purchasing closed source software (such as Windows XP) may be avoided, which in turn translates into huge savings for the government," the order stated.

Moreover, Indian ATM manufacturer Vortex offers a low-power Linux based system called Ecoteller, for example, that's being used in developing countries.

Indian banks do not themselves operate their ATMs, rather outsource them to third-party vendors like Diebold and NCR.

Girish Chavan, national manager of Diebold said, "all ATMs are not connected to the Internet so a hacker would need to reach it through the bank’s network,....and to breach a bank’s firewall is not easy.” But maybe firms underestimating the tactics of hackers and cyber criminals, who are always one step ahead in hacking ATMs and defeating all current security mechanisms.

A few months back it was revealed at the Chaos Computing Congress that hackers in Europe are targeting ATM Machines using Malware-loaded USB drives to steal money.

The malware infection rate for Windows XP is already almost six times higher than Windows 8 systems. So, to switch on to the other operating system will benefit the organizations and financial institutions.

The Reserve Bank of India had highlighted the issue on Tuesday, saying banking operations may be hit once the Windows XP gets phased out.

"Banks are definitely well prepared and the industry is seized of the matter. I am very sure that you will not see a problem where ATMs or bank counters are shut because of this," chief executive MV Tanksale said.

"The probability of attacks on such a system may increase and it may be difficult to defend such attacks in the absence of Microsoft support," RBI had said in a circular to banks.

So, if your Bank is planning to upgrade their ATMs, should it be Windows 7/8 or Linux??

Source

[rudrax]

I've never found windows in top super computers of the world. Most of them run linux. Porbably there is a solid reason behind that.

Edited March 23, 2014 by rudrax

[implague]

LIC of India running on Linux for years

[dcs18]

I've never found windows in top super computers of the world. Most of them run linux. Porbably there is a solid reason behind that.

Speaking of back-end servers (and ATMs) you need neither the frills & thrills nor the workflow & productivity of a modern Windows OS - the requirement is to merely drive, monitor and deploy the service to workstations.

However, when it comes to workstations where the actual work is done on the client side (human element - not a dummy like LIC & ATMs) it's totally a different cup of tea.

Besides, it is true that Linux is more secure than Windows - smaller the target, lower the number of Participants who volunteer to shoot it down.

[R0H1T]

If most of the banks do switch to Linux it will be a boon for the open source movement & may set an example worldover for such large scale dumping of Windows, as an OS, the difficult part however will be to teach the avg joe how to handle a desktop without their favorite Windows :lol:

I've never found windows in top super computers of the world. Most of them run linux. Porbably there is a solid reason behind that.

Speaking of back-end servers (and ATMs) you need neither the frills & thrills nor the workflow & productivity of a modern Windows OS - the requirement is to merely drive, monitor and deploy the service to workstations.

However, when it comes to workstations where the actual work is done on the client side (human element - not a dummy like LIC & ATMs) it's totally a different cup of tea.

Besides, it is true that Linux is more secure than Windows - smaller the target, lower the number of Participants who volunteer to shoot it down.

I think you already know that inherently Linux as a platform is more secure than Windows, not much to do with the number of users, it's also because that it is open source that vulnerabilities are reported earlier & patched faster than on Windows or even Mac OS <_<

Edited March 23, 2014 by R0H1T

[DesiPirate]

So, if your Bank is planning to upgrade their ATMs, should it be Windows 7/8 or Linux??

Linux and only linux. No need to make the greedy rich M$ more rich.

Linux is free and if the banks give just 5% of the upgrade amount to linux developers, then they can develop all those windows softwares for linux.

[ffi]

How would converting ATM's from XP to linux amount to a huge saving for the government or are indian banks all government owned?

[rudrax]

@dcs18, righto! Popular things seduces more and makes one to get unzipped fast so that he can inject some.

[rudrax]

@dcs18, righto! Popular things seduces more and makes one to get unzipped fast so that he can inject some.

[rudrax]

@dcs18, righto! Popular things seduces more and makes one to get unzipped fast so that he can inject some.

[dcs18]

@dcs18, righto! Popular things seduces more and makes one to get unzipped fast so that he can inject some.

Yep absolutely!!!

As an example, just imagine yourself in the shoes of a Hacker for a moment . . . . . . . . now, why would you even bother to risk your valuable resources - time, energy and efforts on an OS that enjoys just a miniscule market share (less than 2%) when you can reap an exponentially higher returns by expending the same on the market leader (with over 80%).

Please note those figures are biased (against Windows - they actually own a far higher market share.)

[dMog]

@dcs18, righto! Popular things seduces more and makes one to get unzipped fast so that he can inject some.

Yep absolutely!!!

As an example, just imagine yourself in the shoes of a Hacker for a moment . . . . . . . . now, why would you even bother to risk your valuable resources - time, energy and efforts on an OS that enjoys just a miniscule market share (less than 2%) when you can reap an exponentially higher returns by expending the same on the market leader (with over 80%).

Please note those figures are biased (against Windows - they actually own a far higher market share.)

problem is though...when a crap load of bank machines have that OS ...it just became "worth the effort" maybe??? i certainly could be wrong too

[ffi]

Besides, it is true that Linux is more secure than Windows - smaller the target, lower the number of Participants who volunteer to shoot it down.

I can already see potential hackers demanding to see the source or else take the ATM vendors to court for GPL violation :P

[dcs18]

@dcs18, righto! Popular things seduces more and makes one to get unzipped fast so that he can inject some.

Yep absolutely!!!

As an example, just imagine yourself in the shoes of a Hacker for a moment . . . . . . . . now, why would you even bother to risk your valuable resources - time, energy and efforts on an OS that enjoys just a miniscule market share (less than 2%) when you can reap an exponentially higher returns by expending the same on the market leader (with over 80%).

Please note those figures are biased (against Windows - they actually own a far higher market share.)

problem is though...when a crap load of bank machines have that OS ...it just became "worth the effort" maybe??? i certainly could be wrong too

Let's now imagine just for a moment that all the Indian Banks somehow agreed to conspire to use Linux instead of XP (which IMO would be the right path to adopt.) :yes:

Having said what I just did, it would still fail to make business sense to any self-respecting Hacker to expend his aforementioned resources - time, energy and efforts on Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . you know why? Well, that Indian Banking conspiracy would still fail to take the Linux total to even 2%. :)

[calguyhunk]

How would converting ATM's from XP to linux amount to a huge saving for the government or are indian banks all government owned?

"The Tamil Nadu State Government's recent advises all its departments to move on to free open source software BOSS Linux as a key benefit of it will ultimately be a huge saving to the government."

Got it? Tamil Nadu is a southern state in India and their Govt. apparently has decided that their departments should move to Linux. Nothing to do with any bank. :)

As for ownership of Indian banks, the largest one, SBI is majority State owned (federal Govt.) and also publicly traded on the bourses. The second largest one, ICICI Bank is majority public owned and traded. Many other banks are variously held by state and regional Governments as also privately held and/or publicly traded. There are also many small regional co-operative banks as well. :)

I hope that answers your question :thumbsup: