RBI asks banks not to run ATMs without software update
The RBI today directed all the banks in the country to operate their ATMs only after the installed computer systems have received a special Windows update to protect them from WannaCry ransomware, sources said.
“RBI has asked banks to update specific Windows patches on ATMs urgently and not to operate ATM machines unless updates are in place,” media reports quoting officials said.
This directive comes in the wake of global system outages due to WannaCry ransomware. The malware has impacted systems across the world.
As per reports a ransomware attack had brought down computer systems in UK hospitals. It soon emerged that the attack was global with reports of affected computers coming in from all over the globe.
The ransomware – Wanna Cry – infected computers running on older versions of Microsoft operating systems like XP, locking access to files on the computer and encrypted all the data stored on the hard drives. In lieu of decrypting the data, Wanna Cry demanded payment in bitcoin, a crypto-currency.
ATM machines are seen as being vulnerable since almost all of them run on Windows software.
KV Correspondent
