-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [fosscomm] 34,115 Indian PSU bank branches are at risk due to their reliance on Windows XP Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:58:52 +0530 From: Guru गुरु &lt;Guru(a)ITforChange.net&gt; Reply-To: Indian FOSS Community Network list &lt;network(a)lists.fosscom.in&gt; To: Fosscom Network &lt;network(a)fosscom.in&gt;in>, ict-education-india(a)googlegroups.com, indianteachereducators(a)googlegroups.com Source - http://www.varindia.com/Microsoft-to-end-support-for-Windows-XP-34K-bank-br… Microsoft(NASDAQ:MSFT) <http://www.microsoft.com/en-in/default.aspx> has revealed the results of a startling study of the banking sector in India today. Conducted by Ascentius Consulting, the study has revealed that some 34,115 Indian PSU bank branches are at risk due to their reliance on Windows XP. Windows XP will no longer be supported by Microsoft beginning April 08, 2014 <http://www.microsoft.com/india/msindia/pressreleases/banks-in-india-could-be-at-major-risk-with-only-100-workings-days-left-for-windows-xp-end-of-support/512/>, but the study shows that the penetration of Windows XP is still high at 40–70% in the banking sector. Amongst the greatest risks facing banks that maintain their Windows XP installations, despite the end of support, are their ability to respond to customers and manage waiting times. Besides, there are several IT risks that will require extensive effort to manage. In the light of these, CERT-IN has also come out with an advisory recommending immediate migration. We have been advising our customers to move off Windows XP for a long time now. There are a significant number of PCs out there that still need to be moved as per a plan. The move to a modern OS like Windows 8.1 will not only alleviate the risks for users and businesses but will also open up opportunities posed by modern technology, like the cloud, for them, said Amrish Goyal, General Manager, Windows Business Group, Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. <http://www.varindia.com/Krrish-3-Game-comes-exclusive-on-Windows-Platform.htm> According to the most recent Security Intelligence Report by Microsoft, Windows XP users are six times more likely to be infected than users of modern operating systems like Windows 8.1, despite encountering the same amount of threats. Windows XP users are also twenty-one times more vulnerable. regards, guru