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End of Windows XP Support Era Signals Beginning of Security Nightmare

Posted by samzenpus on from the no-more-patches dept.

colinneagle writes "Microsoft's recent announcement that it will end support for the Windows XP operating system in two years signals the end of an era for the company, and potentially the beginning of a nightmare for everyone else. When Microsoft cuts the cord on XP in two years it will effectively leave millions of existing Windows-based computers vulnerable to continued and undeterred cyberattacks, many of which hold the potential to find their way into consumer, enterprise and even industrial systems running the latest software. Although most of the subsequent security issues appear to be at the consumer level, it may not be long until they find a way into corporate networks or industrial systems, says VMWare's Jason Miller. Even scarier, Qualsys's Amol Sarwate says many SCADA systems for industrial networks still run a modified version of XP, and are not in a position to upgrade. Because much of the software running on SCADA systems is not compatible with traditional Microsoft OS capabilities, an OS upgrade would entail much more work than it would for a home or corporate system."

9 of 646 comments (clear)

  1. what's the difference by ahotiK · · Score: 4, Funny

    "When Microsoft cuts the chord on XP in two years it will effectively leave millions of existing Windows-based computers vulnerable to continued and undeterred cyberattacks" So what's the difference between now and when this will happen?

    1. Re:what's the difference by ThePromenader · · Score: 5, Funny

      Microsoft already cut the chord a decade ago - with their sh*tty Windows XP boot chime.

      --

      No, no sig. Really.

      ThePromenader
    2. Re:what's the difference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Cutting the chord... what does this mean for C#?

  2. Support? by arisvega · · Score: 5, Funny

    When Microsoft cuts the chord on XP in two years it will effectively leave millions of existing Windows-based computers vulnerable to continued and undeterred cyberattacks

    I can't say I'm going to miss Microsoft XP support.

    I can't say I 've ever had Microsoft XP support, either-

    --
    The three laws of thermodynamics:(1) You can't win. (2) You can't break even. (3) You can't even quit.
    1. Re:Support? by mug+funky · · Score: 5, Funny

      maybe you should have paid for your copy?

    2. Re:Support? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      >>maybe you should have paid for your copy?

      Oh I tried. Microsoft, however, would not sell me a copy. They only sell licenses.

  3. Cutting the chord by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    About time. XP default sounds suck.

  4. Re:First? by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Funny

    Slashdot needs a button that says "Submit, if this is going to be the FP; otherwise cancel".

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  5. Re:release the source? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sorry Richard, he has a lower uid, therefore only he may claim authority without proof.