When Microsoft retires Windows XP on April 8,
2014, security experts say that the aged operating system will be open to
hackers.
This means that XP users must take action. After
retirement, Microsoft states that there will be "no new security updates,
non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online
technical content updates."
Why Microsoft will End Support for Windows XP
In 2002 Microsoft introduced its "Support
Lifecycle" policy in response to customers asking for more
"transparency and predictability of support for Microsoft products".
So Microsoft business and developer products, including Windows and Office
products, are given a minimum of 10 years of support (5 years Mainstream
Support and 5 years Extended Support). So, time is up.
What Retirement Means for Windows XP Users
So what does end of support mean to customers? XP
users will be vulnerable to security hacks unless they upgrade their operating
system. Here are a few details from microsoft.com:
"Running Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 in
your environment after their end of support date may expose your company to
potential risks, such as:
·
Security & Compliance Risks: Unsupported and unpatched environments are
vulnerable to security risks. This may result in an officially recognized
control failure by an internal or external audit body, leading to suspension of
certifications, and/or public notification of the organization’s inability to
maintain its systems and customer information.
·
Lack of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) & Hardware Manufacturers
support: A recent industry report from Gartner Research suggests 'many
independent software vendors (ISVs) are unlikely to support new versions of
applications on Windows XP in 2011; in 2012, it will become common.' And it may
stifle access to hardware innovation: Gartner Research further notes that in
2012, most PC hardware manufacturers will stop supporting Windows XP on the
majority of their new PC models."
Retirement Opens the Door to Hackers
According to many security experts, cyber
criminals will wait until Microsoft retires XP and stops patching the outdated
operating system before they unleash their "exploit code" (security
and compliance bugs). Then hackers will sell their code to hackers or release the
exploits themselves on unprotected PCs.
Tim Rains, Microsoft's Director of Trustworthy
Computing wrote, "After April 8, 2014, organizations that continue to run
Windows XP won’t have this advantage over attackers any longer. The very first month
that Microsoft releases security updates for supported versions of Windows,
attackers will reverse engineer those updates, find the vulnerabilities and
test Windows XP to see if it shares those vulnerabilities. If it does,
attackers will attempt to develop exploit code that can take advantage of those
vulnerabilities on Windows XP."
Without official patching from Microsoft, “XP hacker
attacks and their associated exploits could remain effective for months, maybe
even years, depending on how well security software detects and quarantines
such attacks”.
If you or your business has any computers running
Windows XP or Office 2003 (or older), it is advisable to immediately begin making
plans for replacement. Contact VBL
Technologies to develop a migration strategy to minimize disruption and keep
costs to a minimum.
To learn more about migration and deployment options,
please contact VBL Technologies, a Certified Microsoft Partner, at 252.491.8306.
For more Contact:
8452 Caratoke Hwy, Suite 702,
Powells Point, NC 27966
252-491-8306http://www.vbltech.com/
info@vbltech.com
