The end of Windows XP support

Windows XP is now more than 12 years old but according to data from Net Applications, it is still used on more than 31% of desktop and laptop computers around the world. Those tens of millions of PC users could be in for a very rude awakening next year once Microsoft cuts off support for the aged operating system. Microsoft itself even warned users of the imminent tsunami of viruses and other malware that will inevitably wash over XP stragglers once it stops issuing updates and fixes for the OS. Now, a recently discovered critical zero-day flaw has been acknowledged in a Microsoft support document that could cause serious problems for XP users.

“The vulnerability is an elevation of privilege vulnerability,” Microsoft said in a recent security advisory. “An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.”

Microsoft confirmed that it is working on a fix for the flaw, but let this serve as a warning — after April 8th 2014, critical flaws like this one (and worse) will go unfixed, thus leaving gaping holes in Windows XP that are just begging for malware to exploit them.

Ya, I don't have XP though. I have W7 and I think I have maybe 2 more yrs before no support. Crazy though.

--- Still on Windows XP? Here’s Some Bad Advice.


You might think that an operating system that was actually engineered in the late 90s would be fully obsolete and unused by now. After all, since XP came out, Microsoft has released several major replacement versions: Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 (recently upgraded to Windows 8.1).

But there’s something about Windows XP. It’s basic, stable, fast enough, and good enough for a lot of people. It’s still running on more than 10 percent of the world’s computers, and it’s huge in China.

Still, it’s time. It’s hard to keep an operating system this old up to snuff in today’s online environment. XP works, but it’s not built to the same security level as modern operating systems. Microsoft doesn’t want to keep writing new security upgrades for it, so on April 8, it’s stopping. No more security updates. No more support. Your XP computer will still work, but Microsoft won’t help you anymore. Microsoft is pretty harsh about it: “XP cannot be considered safe to use after support ends.”

Microsoft urges you to upgrade. There’s even a site that tells you when your XP world will end: AmIRunningXP.com. Microsoft also has more info on what "end of support" means. To be fair, moving off XP would be a smart thing to do. Newer operating systems are easier to use (at least most of them), they run the cool new apps, and they’re definitely safer. But how do you move from an old computer that’s running XP into the modern era? I’ve heard a lot of advice on how to make the transition. Not all of it good. Here are your options. Bad ideas first:

Bad idea #1: Just don’t worry about it
It’s not like Windows XP computers will magically stop working on April 9. So don’t worry about it; just keep on using it.

Why is this a bad idea? The problem with an old operating system is that it’s not up to speed with modern attacks. Operating systems need to be patched (updated) frequently to keep them safe from data thieves, scammers, viruses, and the like. After April 8, there will be no more updates coming.

But if you plan to keep going with XP for a while, at least make sure you’re on the last, ultimate version of it, called Service Pack 3. After April 8, you won’t be able to upgrade. Windows’ own update utility should manage this for you. Make sure it’s done so.

Microsoft says it will continue to provide updates to its “anti-malware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015,” so you can continue to use the company’s antivirus app, Microsoft Security Essentials. That is, assuming you already have MSE. After April 8, it won’t be available for download at all. You could also get a possibly better antivirus tool from another vendor. PC Pro recommends Avast 2014. It’s free, and they say it’s better than Microsoft’s own Security Essentials.

But don’t get comfortable. According to Microsoft, even up-to-date security software can’t save you if the operating system itself isn’t secure. And Windows XP just isn’t. Microsoft says, “Our research shows that the effectiveness of anti-malware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited. Running a well-protected solution starts with using modern software and hardware designed to help protect against today’s threat landscape.”

So you can keep using XP, but not without risk. You probably don’t want it connected to the Internet, and even plugging a USB drive into it could be unsafe.

Bad idea #2: Upgrade to Windows 8, like Microsoft wants you to
Why not get the latest version of Windows? It’s so shiny!

There are two big reasons why this is a bad idea. The first: It probably won’t work. Your old Win XP machine likely does not have the horsepower, the hard disk space, or the hardware to run Windows 8.

Second: You’ll hate it. Windows 8 (including 8.1) has two separate interfaces. There’s a Windows desktop-like one in there, which you’ll probably find comfortable, but you have to go through the touchscreen-centric primary interface to get to it. That’s fine if you have a tablet. But your XP machine is no tablet.

You can mostly avoid that tile-based, touchscreen interface, but not completely. It pops up from time to time, usually when you’re in a hurry and stressed out, and it’s frustrating when it happens.

You can also bite the bullet and get a new Windows 8 computer. They’re not expensive at all. They’re just alien.

If you do start over on a Windows 8 machine, Microsoft has tools to make moving your data from XP to Windows 8 fairly straightforward.

Bad idea #3: Move to Linux
The geek operating system (sorry, geeks) called Linux is stable, fast, cheap, and free, and will run on your old XP machine better than Windows 8 will. The nerds will tell you it’ll do everything that XP will do. They’re right.

But here’s why it’s a bad idea: It really is a platform for nerds. Few people you know — unless you know a lot of programmers — will be able to help you out. And your Windows software won’t work. If you have apps you like, you’ll have to find Linux equivalents for them. You’re better off moving to a consumer-friendly operating system.

Bad idea #4: Get a Chromebook
We love the oddball new Chromebooks, Google’s web-centric laptops. They’re cheap, they work great with online apps, and they’re easy to share.

Why is this a bad idea, then? Because Chromebooks rely on a connection to the Internet. Some functions and apps work when disconnected, but most don’t. And Chromebooks don’t run regular Windows programs (Photoshop, Quicken, iTunes, and so on). Chromebooks are great for specific purposes and people (they are great for kids at home or school, for example), but they’re not quite ready to replace Macs or Windows PCs for everybody.

Don’t like these bad ideas? Then try one of these other directions:

Better idea #1: Upgrade to Windows 7
The version of Windows that predates Windows 8 is really good. It’s stable and conceptually similar enough to Windows XP that a transition will not be difficult.

It’s not a perfect solution, though. Your machine may not have the juice to run Windows 7, either, as it actually takes a slightly more powerful computer to run Windows 7 well than Windows 8. But you can, for the time being still buy Windows 7 (even though it’s not clear if Microsoft is still manufacturing Win 7 disks), and some hardware vendors still sell computers with Windows 7 installed on them.

Microsoft really wants you on Windows 8, obviously. A Microsoft spokesperson took pains to remind me that Windows 8 is more secure, faster, and uses less energy than Windows 7.

But the easiest new version of Windows to learn after Windows XP is Windows 7, so if you’re just using Windows to run a particular app, it’s a very good option.

Better idea #2: Get a Mac
Bizarrely, it’s easier to move from Windows XP to the Macintosh operating system, OS X, than to Windows 8.1. There are maddening small differences, but conceptually OS X is similar enough to Windows XP (and every other version of Windows other than Windows 8). It doesn’t take people very long to adapt. Most (though not all) good apps are available in Mac versions, too, and your data files should transfer over just fine.

It’s an expensive move, though. The cheapest new Mac costs $600 (the entry-level Mac Mini; you can use the screen, mouse, and keyboard from your old Windows computer). Laptops start at $1000 and desktops at $1,300. Complete Windows machines today start in the $300 range, or very nicely equipped at about $600. If you can afford it, though, and you’re not married to specific Windows XP software, Macs are a treat to use.

You’re not alone
Why are people still using Windows XP? I asked my Facebook followers and got good answers from people who are. Some people keep old machines for specific purposes, like running XP-only software and the like. Some just take the enlightened opinion that if they have a computer that works for what they want, there’s no reason to spend money and time on an upgrade.

Just because a manufacturer deems one of its products obsolete, it doesn’t mean everyone who uses such a product has to stop using it immediately. However, over time, an old product in the modern world will develop problems: It will be less safe, or there won’t be people to fix it, or some other product it relies on will fail, and replacements won’t be available any longer. Yes, I’m talking about Windows XP, but the same is true if you’re still driving a 1976 AMC Pacer.

When you get into this part of the cycle, you might be forced to move on. But you have a lot of options when you decide to do so — and they might not be the options that the manufacturer recommends.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by check two

Better idea #2: Get a Mac

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Stopped reading right there.

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/74a9925c.gif

My office will use XP until the pc's fucking blow up

Windows XP is the greatest operating system of all time. It's a shame they stop supporting it. Vista, 7 and 8 are all garbage in comparison.

i like windows 7 pretty simple like xp with a little more looks and practically the same as Xp

plus im rolling with 192 gigs of of ram...processing film is nothing for me

vista was shit...and windows 8 is the worst of them all but you can rol with 512 gigs of ram...

now I express the amount of ram each can use as that is the most important for me with the applications I use.

Now Xp will only be good for computers that are stand alone meaning non web based..

If your still rolling on xp you shit will get hacked in no time...taking all your passes and credit card info will be easy. I can prob do it if I want but I dont hack I did back in the day getting folks to install a program that lets me see what they are doing an it also logged in all the shit they typed. I had the power to turn on and off there computers turn on there web cams install and uninstall shit...basically i was in full control like a ninja undiscovered

You def got to watch out .... if your using xp and on the web...hackers will be going after any one with xp since every thing will be wide open

P.S. newer programs on the market will also drop the support for xp

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EAGLE EYE

No offense but given you have a very poor understanding of the difference between gigabytes & megabytes and the amount of ram your typical consumer PC supports.. I find it absurd that you actually attempt to indentify yourself as a former hacker.

Installing a key logger or a piece of commonly distributed malware on someone's machine isn't the same as remotely compromising vulnerable ports and or writing something in assembly to expoit a buffer in a program, which in return can allow you to grant yourself root privileges to someone's box.

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UHHHHH I know the difference. I have 192 GIG of ram installed in a supermicro motherboard As I am using Windows 7 ultimate and a Home built computer, Now only programs that run on 64 bit can use all 196 gigs of ram and of course the programs that only supprot x86(32 bit) can only run 8 gigs of that ram. Also spending money on a consumer computer is the biggest wast of money that also has bloated software and malware already installed.

as for installing software in others computer was easy and there was a Piece of software that had several applications so you can control ones computer that also had key logger and windows control software back in the AOL days. Now I dont know what go's on in today's computer age as I dont do it any more and never looked in on it or kept track of what it takes to those things any more

P.S. I run every thing off of servers ..my desktop has 32 gigs of ram...which is a ton for a desktop, my server can support up to 256 gigs of ram...all my heavy software runs off my server

SHHHHEEEIIIIT Robbie just dun got outnerded!!!!

I think this might call for a RAM Rap Battle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EAGLE EYE

Lol wtf i must be out of touch w/ hardware these days. I knew some ppl who would install ram in the 18gb - 32gb range. Had no idea there was a recent jump to 192, let alone Windows supporting that much.

You really dropped 5K on that superMicro? http://www.stalliontek.com/supermicr...FeY-MgodwE0AXQ

Are you building your own personal IBM deep blue at home?

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the board cost me $650 i dont know which one it was, but yea windows 8 supports over 500 gigs but of course if your running a network you can add as much as you want as you can add as many motherboards as you want. The ram is what costs

I run a home network that connects to every tv and computer in my house...I have about 9Tb of movies loaded on to the network and abut 1TB of music lol. But also use it to run Photoshop and other heavier programs like adobe premiere, that needs the power as rendering film takes a long time. also run home security. Its all personal use, and the cost wasn't that bad for me as i got hardware at a deep discount through trades and what not with a computer company

also again with the ram size, desktop computers dont need over 32 gigs right now. If your running everything I am cost wise a home network wold be better but of coruse you would still need to add good duel gfx cards and a good ssd drive to get your speed up there pretty high for work on film and photos, or animation

P.S. Hardware/software technology is being developed at a fast pace, the power increases double to triple yearly and soon it would be every 6 months and so forth

Intel wants to upgrade its processor every 6 months...right now they put out a new chip every year that out performs the last

Quote:

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Originally Posted by check two

I think this might call for a RAM Rap Battle.

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my rap crumbles god's dam//
brains interlaced internally with modded ram//
wit a full dump
the memory intellect far proceeds alienware ...
god damn//

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...ZkqSN77vR-Ui6B

http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/r/stor...L4ZG&upscale=1

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...XrNCgz-MXBl0BN

--- Not dead yet: Dutch, British governments pay to keep Windows XP alive


Windows XP is supposed to be dead next week. But the Dutch and British governments have both inked deals with Microsoft to continue to keep it on life support, at least for them—under Microsoft’s Custom Support program.

On Wednesday, ComputerWeekly reported that the UK government agreed to pay Microsoft £5.548 million (approximately $9.1 million) for continued support of Windows XP, Office 2003, and Exchange 2003 for all British public sector customers. On Friday, the Dutch government cut its own “multi-million Euro” deal with Microsoft for custom XP support of over 30,000 computers still running the Windows XP operating system.

Those deals may be just a drop in the bucket in comparison to what the US government may have to pay for support of the hundreds of thousands of systems still running Windows XP and other end-of-life software. Despite years of foreknowledge of the end of support for the operating system, there are still a large number of systems running Windows XP within government, including computers on sensitive networks and embedded systems. Many hospitals in the US still use Windows XP on workstations and healthcare devices because software developers have not had their products certified by regulators for use with later versions of Windows.


http://arstechnica.com/information-t...dows-xp-alive/

Microsoft been making dumb moves for a long while.

--- The IRS will pay Microsoft millions for Windows XP support


Usually, the Internal Revenue Service is the one getting paid this time of year, but Uncle Sam will be lining someone else's pockets this tax season because of its attachment to Windows XP. In case you hadn't heard, support for XP officially stopped on April 8th, meaning that Microsoft will no longer provide support or security updates for the venerable OS. However, governmental computers can't be left vulnerable, so the IRS will be paying Microsoft millions of dollars for custom support to keep their machines secure and functional. Right now, over half the agency's PCs still run XP, despite Microsoft telling the whole world that it would stop support for the OS in 2014 six years ago. The plan is to have all IRS machines running Windows 7 by the end of the year -- at which point the clock starts ticking on the transition to Windows 8. No rush, though, Microsoft has pledged to support Windows 7 through 2020. Let the governmental procrastination begin!

Is the heartbleed virus related to the end of windows xp support?

http://heartbleed.com/

---Windows XP users sticking to the OS despite support cutoff

The majority of AVAST customers running Windows XP said they will rely on AVAST to protect them.

Last month Ondrej Vlcek, Chief Operating Officer of AVAST, shared his opinion on the end of Windows XP support by Microsoft, revealing that 23.6% of AVAST’s over 200 million users were still using Windows XP. Since then less than 2% of AVAST Windows XP users have parted ways with the operating system. We conducted a global survey just days before the support end date to find out how aware our Windows XP users were of the support cutoff and what they were planning on doing.

How aware were Windows XP users that their support was expiring?

Months ago Microsoft announced that it would no longer support Windows XP, sending daily warning messages to XP users a month before the end date, April 8, 2014. The media, especially technology-focused media, has been buzzing about the end of support. Our survey found that 21% of Windows XP users were unaware that Microsoft would be ending support, despite Microsoft’s efforts and the media attention around the topic.

What actions were Windows XP users planning on taking?

Although Microsoft recommends upgrading the operating system as the first option home XP users should take to protect themselves, AVAST found that only 15% of XP users were planning on upgrading their OS. The second option Microsoft suggests is for XP users to purchase a new PC, as many of the newer operating systems aren’t compatible with older devices. This does not seem like a popular option for many XP users, which is understandable considering the costs that come with purchasing a new PC. Only 5% of Windows XP users plan on purchasing a new PC. The majority of AVAST customers running Windows XP said they will rely on AVAST to protect them.

The survey also revealed that 27% of Windows XP users were not planning on doing anything. As AVAST users they are protecting themselves since we will continue to support Windows XP users for at least the next three years. This number is relatively high considering the security risks involved with the OS and makes one wonder how many XP users are not concerned about their protection and aren’t planning on upgrading their OS, buying a new PC or seeking AV that will support them.

AVAST has been creating protection modules and detections specifically designed to cover Windows XP vulnerabilities and other security problems. We recommend non-AVAST Windows XP users download AVAST for the added protection. avast! 2014 is a light product, both in terms of speed and resource consumption, tailored for older PCs running XP.

In addition to this, we recommend users stop using Internet Explorer, as the browser poses an even larger threat when used on Windows XP. The latest version of Internet Explorer for Windows XP is 8, which is outdated and lacks many security improvements available in later versions of the browser. We recommend XP users switch to a safer browser that updates itself.

---- Microsoft states that users of Windows 7 And Windows Vista are more at risk to viruses than Windows XP


In a perfect example of terrible timing, Microsoft has published its biannual Security Intelligence Report (SIR) which shows Windows 7 and Windows Vista are infected by malware and viruses more regularly than the outgoing Windows XP . The data is likely to make Microsoft’s attempts to drag XP users to a newer operating system even more difficult.


http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonke...rtner=yahootix

My big ass company just changed to 7 thank fuck, xp was slow as fuck with all the systems we need to run to operate on a daily basis.

--- China Bans Use of Microsoft's Windows 8 on Government Computers


China has banned government use of Windows 8, Microsoft Corp’s latest operating system, a blow to a U.S. technology company that has long struggled with sales in the country.

The Central Government Procurement Center issued the ban on installing Windows 8 on Chinese government computers as part of a notice on the use of energy-saving products, posted on its website last week.

The official Xinhua news agency said the ban was to ensure computer security after Microsoft ended support for its Windows XP operating system, which was widely used in China.

"We were surprised to learn about the reference to Windows 8 in this notice," the company said in a statement. "Microsoft has been working proactively with the Central Government Procurement Center and other government agencies through the evaluation process to ensure that our products and services meet all government procurement requirements."

"We have been and will continue to provide Windows 7 to government customers. At the same time we are working on the Window 8 evaluation with relevant government agencies," Microsoft said.

Neither the government nor Xinhua elaborated on how the ban supported the use of energy-saving products or how it ensured security.

China has long been a troublesome market for Microsoft. Former CEO Steve Ballmer reportedly told employees in 2011 that, because of piracy, Microsoft earned less revenue in China than in the Netherlands even though computer sales matched those of the United States.

Last month, Microsoft ended support for the 13-year-old Windows XP to encourage the adoption of newer, more secure versions of Windows. This has potentially left XP users vulnerable to viruses and hacking.

"China’s decision to ban Windows 8 from public procurement hampers Microsoft’s push of the OS to replace XP, which makes up 50 percent of China’s desktop market," said data firm Canalys.

Surely there's a community somewhere that will continue to develop updates for XP?

Reg hack to continue receiving updates...

http://betanews.com/2014/05/26/how-t...xp-until-2019/

---- Unofficial' Windows XP SP4 Launched. Microsoft OS Lives On


In May I commented that Windows XP is more difficult to kill than Wolverine and four months on it does indeed appear that the operating system was coded using Adamantium. How? Well despite having been discarded by Microsoft MSFT +1.41% in April, the 12 year old OS just received Service Pack 4.

Needless to say this isn’t Microsoft demonstrating yet another generous act of utter stupidity, but the work of its diehard fanbase. Dubbed the ‘Unofficial Service Pack 4’, credit goes to Greece-based developer harkaz who started the project back in September 2013. The third beta has already been launched and, in true Microsoft fashion, a Release Candidate (RC) will be ready soon.

“Many users – including me – who won’t be able to upgrade their old machines to a newer OS would like to easily install all Windows updates in one convenient package. For this reason, I started working on a Service Pack 4 package,” said harkaz on the RyanVM discussion boards.

“Windows XP Unofficial SP4 ENU is a cumulative update rollup for Windows XP (x86) English,” he explained. “It can be applied to a live Windows XP system which has SP1, at minimum, installed or it can be slipstreamed (integrated) in any Windows XP installation media.”

harkaz breaks down Unofficial SP4 stating that it includes ‘ updates for most Windows XP components’, including:

MCE and Tablet PC
Request-only hotfixes
Microsoft .NET Frameworks 4.0, 3.5, 1.1 and 1.0 (Tablet PC only)
Integrated POSReady security updates

A detailed list of fixes can be found here(http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/viewtopi...=137319#137319 ), but of particular interest is POSReady. The POSReady security hack was announced in May and it takes advantage of a Microsoft loophole that provides security support for ‘Windows Embedded POSReady’ (now called ‘Windows Embedded Industry’) which will last until 2019. Emdedded Industry is a b2b-focused variant of Windows XP running Service Pack 3.

How it works is the POSReady hack tricks Microsoft servers into thinking consumer versions of Windows XP are in fact Embedded Industry and therefore supplying them with security updates. Rightfully critics have noted that the two OSes are not identical which could cause problems, but it has proved a fruitful route so far. The hack was fairly simple, but automating it within a wider update will appeal to many.

Read more: Simple Hack Gives Windows XP Users 5 More Years Of Support

Needless to say caveats apply if you are going to consider installing Unofficial SP4, many of which are stated by harkaz. The main one of which is to obtain the downloads from the developer’s posts on RyanVM as there are numerous malware and virus infected fake SP4 patches floating around.

I would also add that in installing any Windows patch not verified by Microsoft is a risk, though in this case the lack of future security patches for Windows XP means running the OS is already a big risk in itself. Furthermore – with a reported 25% of all PCs still running Windows XP – this is a risk which is only going to get worse.

All of this is a potential PR disaster for Microsoft. I personally believe the company has every right to end support for an operating system after providing it for free for 12 years and providing years of warning, but reports of Windows XP mass hacks and customers suffering poses a real problem. Furthermore with Windows 8 failing to take off and Windows 7 Mainstream Support ending in January Microsoft is fast becoming cornered.

The only card the company has to play is Windows 9. It will have to be incredibly lean to have any chance of running on Windows XP computers, but more than that it will need to be a compelling, crowd pleasing and affordable operating system in its own right.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonke...n/?ss=Security