Some Of The Pentagon's Critical Infrastructure Still Runs Windows 95 And 98 (defenseone.com)

SmartAboutThings writes: The Pentagon is set to complete its Windows 10 transition by the end of this year, but nearly 75% of its control system devices still run Windows XP or other older versions, including Windows 95 and 98. A Pentagon official now wants the bug bounty program of the top U.S. defense agency expanded to scan for vulnerabilities in its critical infrastructure.
DefenseOne raises the possibility of "building and electrical systems, HVAC equipment and other critical infrastructure laden with internet-connected sensors," with one military program manager saying "A lot of these systems are still Windows 95 or 98, and that's OK -- if they're not connected to the internet." Windows Report notes that though Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, "the Defense Department is paying Microsoft to continue providing support for the legacy OS."

Comments

Yeah. Tons of stuff is old

[Anonymous Coward]

You wouldn't beleive the crap that gets implemented. In the last three years I've seen new control systems implemented in windows 2000 pro because that's what the government agency mandated. It's all over the place but fortunately in most cases it's not ever internet connected.

Posting ac of obvious reasons.

Re:So do tell

[ArhcAngel]

I Know Right!

At least state governments aren't running that crap. They're all on IBM's much more robust OS/2 Warp. You think I'm kidding...I'm not.

Re:military grade linux ?

[Anonymous Coward]

The US Defense Department used to fund OpenBSD, until Theo de Raadt criticized the war in Iraq.

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2580728/security0/darpa-pulls-funding-for-openbsd--leader-says.html