The risk of running Windows XP after support ends April 2014

[Arthur]

I don't think this should come as a surprise to anyone.

 

Half of IT pros plan to use Windows XP after support ends in 2014 « The Inquirer

 

Almost 80 percent of IT professionals are still running Windows XP on at least one system, a Spiceworks report has revealed, raising security concerns as Microsoft counts down to the end of extended support for the obsolescent PC operating system.

 

In a report entitled "Getting Over Your XP", Spiceworks revealed that 76 percent of IT professionals haven't upgraded all of their systems from Windows XP to a later version of Windows yet, and nearly half admitted that they will leave the 2002 OS on at least one system past its end of support, which due in less than four months on 8 April, 2014.

 

Microsoft warned organisations to upgrade their systems in April 2012 when it announced the two year countdown to the end of support for Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003, saying that "the technology environment has shifted" and that those leaving the migration to the last minute might find it difficult to accomplish in time.

 

In April, software specialist 1E marked the one year countdown to the end of Windows XP support by reporting that less than a quarter of UK companies had completed the migration of their PC estate to a newer version of Windows, with 40 percent still "in the process of upgrading".

 

Those that don't upgrade can expect to be faced with the threat of increasing security concerns, as Windows XP continues to be one of the most targeted operating systems by malware and hacking exploits.

 

 

Does anyone else remember when the US used to be ahead of the curve and seemed to be the source of lots of the education specific developments.

They're going backwards now.

 

http://i.imgur.com/prb5HZb.jpg

Edited December 19, 2013 by Arthur

[CyberNerd]

They're going backwards now.

 

http://i.imgur.com/prb5HZb.jpg

 

I'd sure as hell prefer to look after 18,000 chromebooks vs 18,000 windows or apple laptops.

[SYNACK]

I'd sure as hell prefer to look after 18,000 chromebooks vs 18,000 windows or apple laptops.

 

 

 

 

be fair, with the Chromebooks its not really you looking after them, its googles spying in homes division

[Arthur]

Security Essentials for Windows XP will die when the OS does « Ars Technica

 

There are three months to go for Windows XP. The ancient operating system is leaving extended support on April 8, at which point Microsoft will no longer ship free security fixes. XP itself isn't the only thing that's losing support on that date. Microsoft Security Essentials, the company's anti-malware app, will stop receiving signature updates on that date and will also be removed for download.

 

The message is clear: after April 8, Windows XP will be insecure, and Redmond isn't going to provide even a partial remedy for the security issues that will arise. Anti-virus software is just papering over the cracks if the operating system itself isn't getting fixed.

 

In contrast, both Google and Mozilla will provide updates for Chrome and Firefox beyond the cessation of Microsoft's support. Google has committed to supporting Chrome until April 2015.

 

With three months to go, and Windows XP still holding almost a thirty-percent usage share of the Web, the ending of support is going to have an impact on a lot of people. Still, it's unlikely that killing off MSE is going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back and forces these Windows XP holdouts to upgrade.

 

The big question is, what will? XP's end of life shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, but there are plenty of XP users who evidently don't care. There's no chance now that the remaining users will migrate off the operating system in the few remaining months of support. An abundance of insecure, exploitable, and most likely exploited Windows XP machines is now an inevitability.

[FN-GM]

The big question is, what will?

 

When other vendors apps stop working with XP. Once people get to a point that the software they want to run can't on XP they will move on.

[Arthur]

I think people will quickly get tired of having to pay someone to fix their computer when it gets infected for the umpteenth time.

 

Once people get to a point that the software they want to run can't on XP they will move on.

Won't they just continue using the last versions of the programs that still work with XP?

Edited January 8, 2014 by Arthur

[FN-GM]

Won't they just continue using the last versions of the programs that still work with XP?

 

The home users who wont upgrade from XP generally won't update the apps anyway. They will only upgrade when they need something new. For example they might have a new iPod and have to update iTunes to work with it. If the version of iTunes to use with the new iPod doesn't work with XP they can't do what you suggested. Companies will stop making drivers for XP so that new printer they have purchased won't work either. Thats what i think will shift people off XP.

[Arthur]

Security Essentials for Windows XP gets a 15-month reprieve « Ars Technica

 

Earlier this month, we reported that Microsoft would stop providing updates for Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows XP on 8 April, the same day that it will cease providing security fixes for Windows XP. The company has now altered its stance and will produce signature updates for Security Essentials until 14 July 2015.

 

This change, it says, is to help organizations complete their migrations. Of course, using that rationale, the company should extend Windows XP's support until the heat death of the universe.

 

While it will provide updated signature definitions, the company warns that its research "shows that the effectiveness of anti-malware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited." In other words, it's hard to provide a robust anti-malware system when hostile code can penetrate processes and the kernel willy-nilly just through attacking the browser.

 

Another 180 from Microsoft.

[GeekyPete]

One school I work with has just subscribed to "TheLifeChannel". They brought out their "New" SFF PC. XP Sp3, no AV, no Firewall switched on I said that there is no way that that is going on this network. To the Head's credit the school agreed and they can't install until they supply a device that isn't a risk to the network.

[Arthur]

95% of AT machines still use Windows XP, and will be exposed to vulnerabilities after April 8

 

When ATMs were introduced more than 40 years ago, they were considered advanced technology. Today, not so much. There are 420,000 ATMs in the U.S., and on April 8, a deadline looms for nearly all of them that underscores how sluggishly the nation’s cash delivery system moves forward. That’s the day Microsoft (MSFT) cuts off tech support for Windows XP, meaning that ATMs running the software will no longer receive regular security patches and won’t be in compliance with industry standards. Most machines that get upgraded will shift to Windows 7, an operating system that became available in October 2009. (Some companies get a bit of a reprieve: For ATMs using a stripped-down version of XP known as Windows XP Embedded, which is less susceptible to viruses, Microsoft support lasts until early 2016.)

 

Inside every ATM casing is a computer, and like all such devices, each one runs on an OS. Microsoft’s 12-year-old Windows XP dominates the ATM market, powering more than 95 percent of the world’s machines and a similar percentage in the U.S., according to Robert Johnston, a marketing director at NCR (NCR), the largest ATM supplier in the U.S.

[Arthur]

Windows XP use goes back up ... « Neowin

 

Last month, it looked like the use of Windows XP in PCs took a steep dive worldwide. Research firm Net Applications indicated that, according to their numbers, the over 12 year old operating system had a market share of 27.84 percent in December, a huge drop of 3.38 percent compared to November.

 

Today, the firm released its market share data from January 2014 and it shows that Windows XP use actually went up to 29.23 percent, a rise of 1.39 percent compared to December.

 

^ Why would XP go up?

[localzuk]

All the people on holiday returned to work.

[Arthur]

All the people on holiday returned to work.

Good point!

[Arthur]

Windows XP market share climbs again as customers dig their heels in « The Inquirer

 

The popular Microsoft operating system that refuses to die, Windows XP, has seen a rise in popularity for the second month running.

 

Windows XP, which reaches end of life in a little more than four weeks, has continued its bizarre renaissance, according to this month's Net Applications figures.

 

Last month, the 12-year old operating system accounted for 29.53 percent of the market, up 0.23 percent from January. On one hand, it's up only a fraction of a percent, but on the other Microsoft, which has been trying every trick in the book to lure or scare users away from Windows XP, is going to be disappointed that once again attention has been drawn away from Windows 8, which continues to underperform, despite gaining slightly, stepping out of the shadow of Vista at 0.68 percent market share.

 

Microsoft to start nagging Windows XP users about April 8 end-of-support date « ZDNet

 

Windows XP users still running the Home or Professional versions of the product and who have been getting their updates to XP via Windows Update will get a notification on their desktop screen reminding them of the April 8 end-of-support date. Users can turn off the notifications via a check box. If they don't, they will be reminded on the 8th of every month until the notifications are disabled. The notification also will include a link to Microsoft's Windows XP End of Support web site.

 

Edited March 3, 2014 by Arthur

[GrumbleDook]

Support available for certain eligible groups in the public sector.

 

More info from Crown Commercial Services.

Custom Support | Crown Commercial Service