Microsoft officially ended the support for Windows XP on April 8 as it has said months ago. However, this has not made much impact on the number of XP users. A rough estimation shows that XP users still account for about 28 percent of the total Windows market share.
Security issues XP users may face
Along with Windows XP, Microsoft ended support for Office 2003. Users with these outdated Microsoft products are at severe security risk. Since Microsoft has stopped supporting these products, there won’t be any patch updates for Windows XP or Office 2003. Consequently, these products will grow vulnerable to security issues, day by day. There are many reports suggesting that hackers were waiting for the end date of Microsoft support for Windows XP.
Expert suggested that hackers wouldn’t have to struggle a lot to get through Windows XP systems. They are quite advanced even to get through latest Windows operating systems. Once Microsoft ends support for XP, the outdated operating system will become the most comfortable and secure ecosystem for hackers.
Banks and ATMs are alerted about higher security risks
Microsoft has alerted banks and ATMs that still run Windows XP operating system about the potential security risk they might come to face. According to some statistics, almost 50 percent of the ATMs in USA are running Windows XP operating system. The proportion is even higher in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. ATMs and financial institutions running Windows XP operating system could easily be susceptible to the attacks of hackers as there is no Microsoft support.
How to avoid security risks while using Windows XP operating system?
There are no permanent options to protect Windows XP from security risks. The operating system is fast becoming the hub of vulnerability. However, by not connecting Windows XP machines with internet, users could avoid the spread of virus infection and other online threats. There is no way for hackers to attack your system unless you are connected to the internet.
Avoid accepting external data storage devices like pen drives, external hard disc or memory cards from other users to connect to your XP machine. Even if they seem to be void of viruses while scanning, they could have elements that could potentially endanger your Windows XP machine.
The bottom line is that, if you can’t avoid using Windows XP for any reasons, try not to connect it with internet.
Security issues XP users may face
Along with Windows XP, Microsoft ended support for Office 2003. Users with these outdated Microsoft products are at severe security risk. Since Microsoft has stopped supporting these products, there won’t be any patch updates for Windows XP or Office 2003. Consequently, these products will grow vulnerable to security issues, day by day. There are many reports suggesting that hackers were waiting for the end date of Microsoft support for Windows XP.
Expert suggested that hackers wouldn’t have to struggle a lot to get through Windows XP systems. They are quite advanced even to get through latest Windows operating systems. Once Microsoft ends support for XP, the outdated operating system will become the most comfortable and secure ecosystem for hackers.
Banks and ATMs are alerted about higher security risks
Microsoft has alerted banks and ATMs that still run Windows XP operating system about the potential security risk they might come to face. According to some statistics, almost 50 percent of the ATMs in USA are running Windows XP operating system. The proportion is even higher in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. ATMs and financial institutions running Windows XP operating system could easily be susceptible to the attacks of hackers as there is no Microsoft support.
How to avoid security risks while using Windows XP operating system?
There are no permanent options to protect Windows XP from security risks. The operating system is fast becoming the hub of vulnerability. However, by not connecting Windows XP machines with internet, users could avoid the spread of virus infection and other online threats. There is no way for hackers to attack your system unless you are connected to the internet.
Avoid accepting external data storage devices like pen drives, external hard disc or memory cards from other users to connect to your XP machine. Even if they seem to be void of viruses while scanning, they could have elements that could potentially endanger your Windows XP machine.
The bottom line is that, if you can’t avoid using Windows XP for any reasons, try not to connect it with internet.
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