10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Microsoft Kills Windows XP Security Updates, Turning Millions Of Computers Into Hacker Playgrounds?

by TLTheLiberator
8 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
- Almost a third of the world's computers are still running on the 12-year old system.

- Everyone from consumers to banks to government agencies is now a prime target for hackers.

Microsoft Kills Windows XP Security Updates, Turning Millions Of Computers Into Hacker Playgrounds | ThinkProgress
  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

    - Almost a third of the world's computers are still running on the 12-year old system.

    - Everyone from consumers to banks to government agencies is now a prime target for hackers.

    Microsoft Kills Windows XP Security Updates, Turning Millions Of Computers Into Hacker Playgrounds | ThinkProgress
    Oh, please.

    They're not any more of a target today than they were yesterday. They're not "turning into" anything.

    I don't know why people expect a company to support a product forever. Should they still be doing security upgrades for MS-DOS?
    Signature

    The 2nd Amendment, 1789 - The Original Homeland Security.

    Gun control means never having to say, "I missed you."

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9098894].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      Oh, please.

      They're not any more of a target today than they were yesterday. They're not "turning into" anything.

      I don't know why people expect a company to support a product forever. Should they still be doing security upgrades for MS-DOS?
      Were the security updates from Microsoft effective or not?

      If microsoft is not supporting the OS with security updates aren't the computers now more vulnerable?

      or...

      Have the anti-virus softwares like Norton already rendered Microsoft's security updates null and void already?
      Signature

      "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9100001].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
        Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

        Were the security updates from Microsoft effective or not?

        If microsoft is not supporting the OS with security updates aren't the computers now more vulnerable?

        or...

        Have the anti-virus softwares like Norton already rendered Microsoft's security updates null and void already?
        They aren't any more vulnerable than they were the day after MS released the last security update. They won't be any more vulnerable tomorrow.

        Keeping a 14-year old operating system updated is just something a company should be forced to do?

        There's a time to move on, and for XP users, now is it.
        Signature

        The 2nd Amendment, 1789 - The Original Homeland Security.

        Gun control means never having to say, "I missed you."

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9100452].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Another thread? The other thread didn't cover this issue?

    I even had a thread on it wondering about switching to Linux (asking info because I'm a tech idiot).

    Seems that Moxilla is still supporting XP - and 48 hours after the "kill" date, my computer updated.

    I haven't seen anything on anyone else taking over support yet, but a lot of technically sharp people in here told me I had time to figure out what system to change over to, and gave a lot of good info about Linux. I'm going to be getting some disks and burning some linux systems on so I can just start them up and see which one I like the best and will run on my computer. Never know - before I figure it out, someone else might take over support on xp. Maybe not, but My avast still is supporting me, malwarebytes is, and Moxilla, so after reading the info that was given to me in my thread - I'm not as worried about it as I was.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9098923].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Another thread? The other thread didn't cover this issue?

      I even had a thread on it wondering about switching to Linux (asking info because I'm a tech idiot).

      Seems that Moxilla is still supporting XP - and 48 hours after the "kill" date, my computer updated.

      I haven't seen anything on anyone else taking over support yet, but a lot of technically sharp people in here told me I had time to figure out what system to change over to, and gave a lot of good info about Linux. I'm going to be getting some disks and burning some linux systems on so I can just start them up and see which one I like the best and will run on my computer. Never know - before I figure it out, someone else might take over support on xp. Maybe not, but My avast still is supporting me, malwarebytes is, and Moxilla, so after reading the info that was given to me in my thread - I'm not as worried about it as I was.
      Yeah, the cancelled support is just for M/S. There is basically a set of APIs, and a huge subset of those are XP compatible. THAT is why WIN7 still runs MOST XP software.

      If you use compatible CPU features, and don't stray past the XP compatible APIs, and don't directly access hardware, the software can work on all windows versions from XP on up.

      Things like browsers shouldn't have to deviate, and can have broader support. Something like a game, database server, or compiler, might use newer features for speed and flexibility, and may have trouble working on older systems.

      STILL, even if only XP were supported, they may continue support longer. But MS WON'T! What THAT means is that if there is security flaw in windows, or a tweak to make things run better, etc.... it won't be fixed.

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9101301].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Just get Win7, it's basically WinXP, within a week you'll forget all about WinXP. If your still running WinXP odds are your long over due for a new PC anyways.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9100136].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

    - Almost a third of the world's computers are still running on the 12-year old system.

    - Everyone from consumers to banks to government agencies is now a prime target for hackers.

    Microsoft Kills Windows XP Security Updates, Turning Millions Of Computers Into Hacker Playgrounds | ThinkProgress
    Well, if it's such a big deal, maybe you should step up and offer security updates for free yourself?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9100643].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    For the record, floppy disk were standard on new XP machines.

    Clean off a shelf next to that C64.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9101139].message }}

Trending Topics