14 DAY TRIAL // Windows XP support is coming to an end, so as of April 8, computers running this particular OS version will no longer receive patches and security updates.
Since Windows XP is still powering around 28 percent of desktop PCs worldwide, it’s pretty obvious that the transition to a newer platform won’t be completed in time, so Symantec has a few tips for those who want to stick to this particular OS version.
Brian Burch, VP of global consumer and small business marketing at Symantec, has told InformationWeek that the only way to stay secure on Windows XP is to install full-featured anti-virus protection and deploy lockdown technologies to disable some of the features you don’t need and which could make your computer vulnerable.
“Occasionally, there are circumstances that make it very difficult to upgrade systems. For example, Windows XP is often used for industrial control systems that have long lifecycles and low downtime or critical applications that need redeveloping,” he was quoted as saying.
“If you have a system that can't be upgraded, look at lockdown technology to only allow the functions that are needed by the system and prevent others. This can protect the system and reduce the need for patching.”
Microsoft hopes that Windows XP’s market share would drop to only 13 percent by April, but that’s unlikely to happen unless more users agree to move to either Windows 7 or 8.1.
The company has put several campaigns in place to help companies and users looking to migrate, but until now, plenty of users have expressed their intention to stick to XP beyond retirement date.
Of course, Microsoft warns that doing this is extremely risky because hackers would attempt to exploit every single vulnerability found in the operating system and since no patches would be delivered, attackers could easily infiltrate into machines running Windows XP.