With official support for Windows XP set to end on April 8th, what are the biggest security fears and what should users do about it?
I’ve done business with small shops and doctor’s offices and have noticed while making payments that they were using XP machines. I won’t name them here, but whenever I see a business using XP I make a point of saying something to the owners.
I remember writing about the release of Windows XP SP2 in the summer of 2004. At the time, it was a big improvement. But it didn’t stop the almost daily reports of new flaws in the OS and the attacks exploiting them.
Much has changed since then.
Most Windows shops are using Windows 7 and 8, and those versions are far more secure than their predecessors.
I get that individuals can’t always afford new versions. That’s part of why so many homes still use XP.
But for businesses, there’s no longer a good excuse to be on XP. We’re trusting them to keep our personal information safe, and that trust demands they use the more recent versions of Windows — even if it means spending more money in the short run.
Bill Brenner | Akamai | Senior Program Manager | @BillBrenner70
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