Hackers would have more fun with XP if they open sourced it so no thanks, I think they should just let it die,no OS can remain forever especially one full of security holes.
you have to say why did microsoft release windows xp which must of had lots of security problems right on release which even after 12 years microsoft has not fixed them all. I think part of the problem was releasing windows xp without a antivirus and firewall for starters.
I saw a post over at Neowin, where someone translated a post by Microsoft's Chinese division.
One of the interesting things that it points out is that 70% of Chinese XP systems don't get security updates in the first place (probably because it's all pirated, but they didn't say that), so as a result, the XP support shutoff is unlikely to have much of an effect there.
I saw that post too and it doesn't make for good reading. there are some people on other forums that think they are 100% safe because their windows 7/8 can't be effected by viruses which we all know they can be as much as windows xp. I will not even mention denial of service attacks or bot networks which windows xp systems are well known to be used for.
http://www.itworld.com/consumerizat...ecurity-threats-windows-8-according-microsoftWindows 8 is the most secure version of Windows ever. 21 times more secure than Windows XP, in fact, and 6 times more secure than Windows 7.
Windows 7 is four to five times less vulnerable to malware infections than is Windows XP.
Every new Windows OS improves security ie ,
http://www.itworld.com/consumerizat...ecurity-threats-windows-8-according-microsoft
or this link for Win7 over XP,http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20063220-83.html
I always say weakest link is the user,unfortunately that's something that's not 100% secure.
I took the point of the comment to which you are replying as being that if lots of XP systems get infected that is likely to affect users of other OS's as well. That other OS's have better intrinsic security isn't quite the point - the more infected XP systems out there, the greater the scope for such things as zombie bot networks sending out spam, or DDOS attacks, etc.
Also can you be sure all the places that process your personal data don't have any XP weak-links?
Its just going to make for a riskier IT environment all-round.
At least computer viruses don't mutate the way organic ones do! Otherwise having a large pool of infectable hosts out there would mean sooner or later something would adapt to attack _you_!
Another good reason to scrap XP,we don't want a very old OS full of security holes spreading viruses etc...
I agree with that much (XP has had a long run, but fair enough, its a bit too old now), but MS really didn't help matters with its desktop-hostile approach to windows 8. Though I know we aren't going to agree on that.
[redacted]
I shall prepare some fine ale and snacks next month for the inevitable malware rush. A better browser will not protect you. Antimalware/virus will not protect you. XP is physically decrepit, it simply is not as secure as 7, never mind 8. It will be a hilarious nightmare.
Thanks for the info. Another reason to be cautious/skeptical about "security updates".MS updates tried today to install a KB about when XP expires. Most likely that nag screen that was mentioned in one of the above posts. I turned it down, of course.
That was my general reasoning also.If there were that many holes in XP waiting to be exploited people would be exploiting them already. There isn't going to be some magic switch get turned on April 8th that will allow everyone access to your PC. Microsoft only releases security patches the second Tuesday of each month anyways so there are always security gaps not to mention the people who don't even run updates to begin with.
If there were that many holes in XP waiting to be exploited people would be exploiting them already. There isn't going to be some magic switch get turned on April 8th that will allow everyone access to your PC. Microsoft only releases security patches the second Tuesday of each month anyways so there are always security gaps not to mention the people who don't even run updates to begin with.
If there were that many holes in XP waiting to be exploited people would be exploiting them already. There isn't going to be some magic switch get turned on April 8th that will allow everyone access to your PC. Microsoft only releases security patches the second Tuesday of each month anyways so there are always security gaps not to mention the people who don't even run updates to begin with.
This. I don't know why people think it will suddenly be less secure.
Heck, who says windows 7 and 8 are secure, if they were, they would not be having to release patches all the time.
You would think that by this time Microsoft would finally have a fully secure code base but they continue to introduce new exploits all the time. I almost wonder if it's somehow on purpose, perhaps these exploits act as backdoors but the minute a hacker figures it out they patch it and create a new backdoor. Not saying it's that, but it could be. Just seems absurd that a handful of highly trained devs who do it as their day job can't code something to be secure once and for all.
http://windows.about.com/od/windowsosversions/a/win7beatsXP.htm5 Reasons to Dump Windows XP
Windows XP Has Become a Security Nightmare, Says Expert
Now Clive Longbottom, service director at market watcher Quocirca, says that one of the reasons why Windows XP consumers should upgrade is the security offered by the operating system, pointing out that both Windows 7 and Windows 8 are by far more advanced.
“The platform is essentially 15 years old – and the world was a far different place back then. Attack vectors for Black Hats have changed, and whereas Windows 7 and Windows 8 have adapted to provide better built-in security, Windows XP is a security nightmare,” he was quoted as saying by IT Pro.
Microsoft will no longer release updates and security patches for Windows XP as of April 8, 2014, so in case you’re still running it, you have six more months to pick your next OS.
If there were that many holes in XP waiting to be exploited people would be exploiting them already. There isn't going to be some magic switch get turned on April 8th that will allow everyone access to your PC. Microsoft only releases security patches the second Tuesday of each month anyways so there are always security gaps not to mention the people who don't even run updates to begin with.
Win7/8 are more secure since they are redesigned OS ,new security features etc...WinXP is so old and times have changed,hackers have got smarter and plenty of time to figure out all the weak spots in XP OS which can't be fixed by a simple patch or two.
Windows XP has always been relatively vulnerable. I remember a test done here in Denmark around 2005. A fully patched XP SP2 machine was connected directly to the Internet, with default settings, it was infected with malware 2 minutes later...
Food for thought...
This. I don't know why people think it will suddenly be less secure.
If the holes are being fixed (ie. through Windows Update), they're more secure. Furthermore, there are security features in newer versions of Windows such as ASLR and UAC. These raise the bar for malware designers.Heck, who says windows 7 and 8 are secure, if they were, they would not be having to release patches all the time.
Simple fact is with a failing economy most people who have XP cannot afford to buy a new system. They don't have the money. Upgrading to Windows 7 or 8 won't work because their old systems cannot handle it. I know plenty of people who have XP and cannot upgrade. Plenty who will not upgrade and hell, plenty who had Vista and went DOWN to XP!
These folks are reality and while Microsoft needs to do what they need to do, their Windows 8 release was a true debacle and turned off the masses. My system can easily handle Windows 8, but I ain't touching it. I'll stick with 7 and hope that with 9 they hit it out of the park.
Complete crap,they are either too cheap to upgrade either software or hardware ie a newer Windows OS like Win7 or can't be bothered to use Linux(freebie and superior to XP in many ways) providing they don't need Windows based software.
End of the day it's their choice and fault if they want to stay on a dead OS like XP,and yes I have used them all including Linux distros. I'll take Win8 or even Vista over XP any time.
I could also argue how many of those XP users using pirated version of XP?..I bet too many to mention.