NORTH CANTON, Ohio - ATM manufacturer Diebold has announced that it has developed an electronic system for notifying financial institutions about Microsoft software updates for Windows-based ATM networks. Diebold's Software Update Notification System will allow credit unions to update security features by pre-qualifying each update through Diebold-specific testing and use recommendations. On the second Tuesday of each month, when Microsoft releases new updates for Windows, Diebold will assess and test each update for applicability to Diebold terminal software, the firm said. In a press statement Sandra Jones, card services director for Max Federal Credit Union in Montgomery, Ala., said the system pushes information down in a timely and efficient manner. "The Software Update Notification System is important to Max because it helps ensure our ATMs are as up-to-date as possible and that they have the security updates we need to help prevent fraud and attacks," she was quoted as saying. Software updates are posted to Diebold Customer Internet Support, a secure Web portal on which credit unions can view all available and Diebold-tested updates. Once an update is posted to the site, Diebold will test it and provide further information regarding applicability and user deployment to appropriate systems. Customers can register and create custom profiles that identify their particular needs, as well as the type of Windows-based ATM networks their credit unions are running. The system is free to credit unions with current Diebold Master License agreements.