14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will be rolling out this month’s Patch Tuesday fixes tomorrow and among the updates to be shipped to Windows users, there’s also a fix specifically supposed to resolve a problem in Internet Explorer 6.
As Windows XP users surely know, Internet Explorer 6 is the default browser version that’s installed on their computers, so the old operating system which no longer receives updates and security patches since April 8 is again vulnerable to attacks.
Paul Ducklin of security company Sophos says that this Patch Tuesday is particularly important for Internet Explorer users because absolutely all versions of the browsers that are still on the market right now are affected by this issue.
“Things are fairly straightforward this month, with six bulletins, two of which are critical patches dealing with remote code execution holes,” Ducklin explains.
“Internet Explorer (IE) users take note that this month's IE fix, Bulletin One, covers all supported versions of IE from 6 to 11; patches against remote code execution; is rated Critical; and requires a reboot. As usual, Server Core installs aren't affected by the Internet Explorer Bulletin, because Server Core can't run IE.”
Windows XP is no longer receiving updates since earlier this year and Microsoft warns that all those still running this particular OS version should upgrade as soon as possible because the risks of getting hacked is increasing every single day.
25 percent of the desktop computers worldwide are still said to be running Windows XP right now, statistics are showing, but figures are very likely to drop very soon due to the fact that more companies are projected to complete the upgrade process to a newer OS version in the coming months.
Microsoft says that shutting down Windows XP support was the only option because it has already provided patches for this operating system more than for any other product currently on the market.
“We support our older operating systems much longer than most other businesses in this industry, but we can’t keep supporting old operating systems and still move forward creating new and better products,” Microsoft says.
“We’ve been supporting Windows XP for the past 12 years—that's longer than we've supported any other operating system in our history and already two years longer than the standard ten years of support we normally provide. It’s time for us to look ahead so we can create better products and services for you and all our customers.”
All patches that will be released tomorrow will be shipped via Windows Update, so just make sure that your PC is connected to the Internet to get them.