Calling All Windows XP Luddites: You're Toast as of Tuesday, April 8th
And I'm one of those XP Luddites. As of this Tuesday, April 8th, Microsoft will no longer send out regular security updates — or security patches in case of a cyber-threat — to anyone who still uses Windows XP. Windows XP is still the operating system for about thirty percent of Windows users worldwide. Oh well, Microsoft doesn't need these XP Luddites any more. What are they gonna do, not purchase Windows XP again? Might as well throw them under the bus. Microsoft has more important things to take care of, new products to hustle.
For Windows XP users who are planning to upgrade — good luck. According to the linked article:
“Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.”
Or as one analyst said, some of these shafted XP users might take their business to Apple or Google or Linux:
“The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else.”
Microsoft's backstabbing sleaziness will affect everybody, not just Windows XP users. If there really is an increase in the number of infected computers among XP users, there'll be that many more infected computers sending out malware-infected links and e-mails to all computer users.
Another school of thought is: when Microsoft discontinues their security updates, it'll be like when Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's — how could they tell?
In any case, I'll just keep updating and running my anti-virus software faithfully, and when/if a virus strikes, I'll finally act on my longer-idle threat to switch to a laptop that runs on Linux.
Labels: Microsoft security updates, Windows XP
posted by Tom Harper @ 6:52 PM
4 Comments:
Aww C'mon now it's not like Microsoft kept it's OS secure in the first place. A white hacker friend of mine was invited by Microsoft to go on tour with them as they demonstrated their new Security Additions. When she broke every one of them in record time, they paid her and cancelled her part of the tour.
When Win7 Came out a substantial number of users were still using Win95, Me, 2000 and 3.2. Win 2000 is still my favorite.
I run a VMWare window with XP as well as Linux so I can run some of my favorite apps that wont play on Win7.
I think independent contractors will step up to take the place of Microsoft Security wise, in fact you are generally considered a fool to use default MS Firewalls and Anti-Virus.
Erik
Erik: I have the default Microsoft security settings set to "On," but I also run a separate anti-virus program. After tomorrow I'll just be sure to update and run that program more regularly. I think Microsoft's decision to drop millions of customers like a hot potato is going to drive a lot of new customers to Apple and Linux.
You really have to wonder what MS has been thinking. Trying to acquire media companies when outside companies have improved on their basic utilities. Better Anti-Virus, Better Firewalls, Better DeFrags, Better Disk Repair and other diagnostics - MS never made a move to compete or even acquire those companies.
More then just buying Bosch or Holley Parts for your car.
It just tells us that they really aren’t interested in quality and Their cutting support isn’t really hurting a lot of people.
They ask “How can we tell?”
Erik
Erik: I think it's a pretty shitty business model for them to throw 30% of their customers under the bus just because they're still using "outdated" equipment. I hope it'll be a "how can we tell?" situation now that MS has withdrawn its security support.
Post a Comment
<< Home