Slashdot Mirror
XP Systems Getting Emergency IE Zero Day Patch
msm1267 (2804139) writes "Microsoft announced it will release an out-of-band security update today to patch a zero-day vulnerability in Internet Explorer, and that the patch will also be made available for Windows XP machines through Automatic Update. At the same time, researchers said they are now seeing attacks specifically targeting XP users.
Microsoft no longer supports XP as of April 8, and that includes the development and availability of security updates. But the about-face today speaks to the seriousness of the vulnerability, which is being exploited in limited targeted attacks, Microsoft said. Researchers at FireEye, meanwhile, said multiple attackers are now using the exploit against XP machines, prompting the inclusion of XP systems in the patch."
Microsoft no longer supports XP as of April 8, and that includes the development and availability of security updates. But the about-face today speaks to the seriousness of the vulnerability, which is being exploited in limited targeted attacks, Microsoft said. Researchers at FireEye, meanwhile, said multiple attackers are now using the exploit against XP machines, prompting the inclusion of XP systems in the patch."
the problem is when they get hacked, they aren't going to get rid of their machines or go offline.
they will just become one more in the zombie army, and the REST of us end up suffering.
Microsoft is doing the right thing here.
Yes, how dare they provide support for a large percentage of their userbase, rather than try to force their users to pay them more money for the latest version! Those bastards!
Seriously, I get that XP is old and there are real disadvantages to its continued use, but it's amazing to me that we've actually reached the point where MS is getting flack for not adhering strongly enough to planned obsolescence. Like, we want them to be greedier now and stop providing free updates? I'd like to believe that they'll continue supporting Win7 for quite some time. I don't particularly like the idea of forced paid upgrades, or the "subscription Windows" that everyone seems to think is coming.
I'd love it if people would start moving off of XP and onto modern OS'es, but that's not going to happen right away regardless of what MS does, and I'm not going to knock them for supporting their product long-term.
Car analogy: I told the used car dealer to stop selling that garbage and just send all his vehicles to the dump. I mean they were all from like 2007 or before! I mean seriously, who uses a car that old (except for all the retro ones that were sold up until 2012 - and those suck too. They aren't hip at all)? They don't have the latest rear view cameras and other safety equipment or anything. It is no secret if you buy the after market warranty you can get your crappy old car fixed, but if you don't it isn't my problem you can't get parts when you need them because you are a dumb poopy pants. I throw everything away because there is a newer model that surely must be better because new and shiny!
Get a web developer
They should support it as long as they hold copyright on it. When the support ends, it should be put in the public domain.
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
Apple isn't even releasing updates for Snow Leopard from 5 years ago. Which 20% of their user base is on...
Reality distortion field on.