14 DAY TRIAL // There are many ways to keep a Windows XP system secure after Microsoft officially stops releasing updates and security patches in April, but cutting off the Internet connection isn’t one of them.
That’s what Redmond is saying in an internal document delivered to partners that are supporting the transition to another operating system, emphasizing that even without Internet access, a Windows XP machine could still be vulnerable to other types of attacks.
“Being disconnected to an internal network [sic], or using a USB or CD to transfer information, may reduce the attack surface but will still leave you vulnerable to several types of attacks once support ends. Aside from a few special situations, keeping your Windows XP machine in a sealed room on its own is not the right choice for your business,” Microsoft said in the documents obtained by CRN.
Microsoft then goes on to say the same thing it explained with every single occasion: staying on Windows XP after retirement exposes all your data because hackers and cyber criminals would clearly attempt to exploit vulnerabilities found in the operating system and unpatched by the parent company.
“We won't sugarcoat it: If you are running Windows XP after April 8, 2014, you are putting your business at risk -- and please don't believe anyone who claims that quick fixes can replace a critical OS update,” the company added.
Microsoft wants most Windows XP users to move from the old operating system to Windows 8.1, which is said to be the most secure and the fastest Windows version to date.
Unfortunately, moving from Windows XP to 8.1 also involves hardware upgrades, which in many cases aren’t possible due to the high costs of the entire process. Businesses and companies are clearly the ones most affected by Windows XP’s demise, so with only three months on the clock, a decision needs to be made as soon as possible.