{"id":185,"date":"2014-01-08T10:38:31","date_gmt":"2014-01-08T15:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.network1.net\/?p=185"},"modified":"2014-01-08T10:38:31","modified_gmt":"2014-01-08T15:38:31","slug":"the-end-of-windows-xp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.network1.net\/?p=185","title":{"rendered":"The End of Windows XP"},"content":{"rendered":"

Twelve years ago, Microsoft released Windows XP. After 3 Service Packs and well over 300 updates, Microsoft ended their official \u201cMainstream Support\u201d for Windows XP on April 14, 2009 and it entered the \u201cExtended Support\u201d cycle for Windows XP. On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will end their \u201cExtended Support\u201d cycle for Windows XP closing the final chapter on one of the most successful operating systems in the history of computing.<\/p>\n

Windows XP was so successful that it took nearly 30 months for their Windows 7 operating system to overtake the global Windows XP install base. Today Windows XP still enjoys an install base of ~35% or roughly 800 million of the world\u2019s computers.<\/p>\n

What\u00a0 does\u00a0 the\u00a0 end\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 \u201cExtended\u00a0 Support\u201d\u00a0 cycle\u00a0 for\u00a0 Windows\u00a0 XP\u00a0 mean\u00a0 moving forward?\u00a0 The\u00a0 Mainstream\u00a0 Support\u00a0 life\u00a0 cycle\u00a0 allowed\u00a0 Microsoft\u00a0 to\u00a0 release\u00a0 \u201chotfixes\u201d, security\u00a0 updates\u00a0 and\u00a0 provide\u00a0 direct\u00a0 commercial\u00a0 and\u00a0 end-user\u00a0 support.\u00a0 The\u00a0 \u201cExtended Support\u201d\u00a0 cycle\u00a0 moved\u00a0 the\u00a0 product\u00a0 into\u00a0 only\u00a0 receiving\u00a0 security\u00a0 updates\u00a0 to\u00a0 the\u00a0 product and ended all other support. While Microsoft has made some allowances in the past for profound security-related issues for products outside of their Support Lifecycle system, on April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer be providing any new updates to Windows XP, including \u201chotfixes\u201d, service packs or security updates.<\/p>\n

This will expose Windows XP users to a myriad of new and evolving security, malware and virus threats. Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 14<\/a> (PDF<\/a>) reports the following infection rates by operating system and service pack for the fourth quarter of 2012. While Windows XP Service Pack 3 has made a significant reduction in the amount of security vulnerabilities and infections on the XP platform, XP still leads the pack in infection rates across all Windows operating systems. The combination of large user base with lack of security patches leaves a large target on the venerable operating system.<\/p>\n

To mitigate the risk moving forward, users must begin the transition from Windows XP when and where possible. The best option would be moving towards the latest operating system, Windows 8, as it is the most secure and reliable system Microsoft has yet to produce. That might not be an option for many people, so the next best option would be Windows 7. Between Windows XP and Windows 7 was Windows Vista, however, Vista is not an option as it is also nearing the end of its support life cycle.<\/p>\n

\"Infection<\/a>

Infection Attack Vectors Q4 2012 by Operating System<\/p><\/div>\n

If Windows XP must be used, for whatever reason, then a hardened security presence on the system must be maintained and updated regularly. There are many anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall software options available from Microsoft and third party vendors – both free and paid. The number of unprotected or under-protected Windows XP systems moving forward could create a ticking time bomb if left unchecked and unprotected.<\/p>\n

We are urgently recommending the following actions be taken when and wherever possible:<\/strong><\/p>\n