Target Exploit Give XP Legs

. . According to NCR 95% of the ATM terminals around the world still run Microsoft XP, which is soon to be abandoned by Microsoft (1).  It is quite possible that a good majority of the point of sale (POS) terminals have a similar platform.  It is reported that the recently publicized Target exploit was carried out on terminals with embedded Microsoft XP(2).  Target was hardly alone(3). 
. . Everyone needs to watch credit cards statement very closely and promptly.  Don’t assume that because you were not one of the 110 million in the Target heist that you’re safe. 
. . That may be one reason why Microsoft has changed its mind about abandoning XP and on January 15, 2014 decided to extend security support until July 14, 2015(4). It might also be due to pressure from the Chinese on Microsoft to extend support of XP (5).  They have little motivation to move off of XP. 
. . One might conclude that even with all the fear mongering about XP’s demise, this operating system is simply not going away anytime soon.

1)      http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/20/5326772/windows-xp-powers-95-percent-of-atms-worldwide

2)      http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/01/a-first-look-at-the-target-intrusion-malware/

3)      http://www.pcworld.com/article/2089480/six-more-us-retailers-hit-by-targetlike-hacks-security-firm-says.html#tk.nl_secur

4)      http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2014/01/15/microsoft-antimalware-support-for-windows-xp.aspx

5)      http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/12/04/windows_xp_warning_china/