MICROSOFT announced earlier this month that it had officially stopped supporting the Windows XP platform, but IT experts said this did not mean that XP systems would stop working.
Johannesburg-based Dial-a-Nerd’s MD Roberto Caprio said it simply meant that XP would no longer be compatible with updated Microsoft programmes such as Word, Excel and others.
“Microsoft will no longer be providing security patches, bug fixes, service pack updates or technical support for Windows XP, Office 2003 and Server 2003,” he said.
He said the problem was that security risks were now higher “because cyber-criminals have been anticipating this day to unleash havoc on unsuspecting XP users”.
Windows XP was first released in 2001.
An article that appeared on www.techcentral.co.za, posted on the day of the announcement, said banks and other financial institutions might have to end access to their online systems for XP users, because the vulnerabilities in the 14-year-old software posed a significant threat.
Standard Bank’s Ross Linstrom said the bank had been preparing itself for an upgrade, which was also due to the necessity of enabling new capabilities which require Windows 7. He said customers could expect to see this in the latter part of the year.
“In the short-term, we are confident the plans around extended support for our ATM software are adequate. There are no risks to customers, and our customers do not have to worry,” Linstrom said.
FNB’s Aziz Cassim, head of Self Service Channels, said FNB’s ATMs currently operated on Windows XP.
“We are aware that the support ended earlier this month and we are currently implementing a solution.
“The plan includes the replacement of old devices and upgrading newer devices to Windows 7,” Cassim said.
He said they were on track for migration to Windows 7 and had a detailed plan to implement the changes, which would not impact ATM usage for customers.
Flo Stranger, a technician with local-based IT shop, Platinum IT solutions, said they had received an unusual number of queries regarding software upgrades.
“The biggest concern is the security risks ... XP users will eventually have to upgrade.” — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
XP users left in the lurch
Johannesburg-based Dial-a-Nerd’s MD Roberto Caprio said it simply meant that XP would no longer be compatible with updated Microsoft programmes such as Word, Excel and others.
“Microsoft will no longer be providing security patches, bug fixes, service pack updates or technical support for Windows XP, Office 2003 and Server 2003,” he said.
He said the problem was that security risks were now higher “because cyber-criminals have been anticipating this day to unleash havoc on unsuspecting XP users”.
Windows XP was first released in 2001.
An article that appeared on www.techcentral.co.za, posted on the day of the announcement, said banks and other financial institutions might have to end access to their online systems for XP users, because the vulnerabilities in the 14-year-old software posed a significant threat.
Standard Bank’s Ross Linstrom said the bank had been preparing itself for an upgrade, which was also due to the necessity of enabling new capabilities which require Windows 7. He said customers could expect to see this in the latter part of the year.
“In the short-term, we are confident the plans around extended support for our ATM software are adequate. There are no risks to customers, and our customers do not have to worry,” Linstrom said.
FNB’s Aziz Cassim, head of Self Service Channels, said FNB’s ATMs currently operated on Windows XP.
“We are aware that the support ended earlier this month and we are currently implementing a solution.
“The plan includes the replacement of old devices and upgrading newer devices to Windows 7,” Cassim said.
He said they were on track for migration to Windows 7 and had a detailed plan to implement the changes, which would not impact ATM usage for customers.
Flo Stranger, a technician with local-based IT shop, Platinum IT solutions, said they had received an unusual number of queries regarding software upgrades.
“The biggest concern is the security risks ... XP users will eventually have to upgrade.” — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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