14 DAY TRIAL // Windows XP reached the end of its life on April 8, so it was only a matter of time until cybercriminals across the world started trying to capitalize on this critical moment for millions of users.
No less than 300 million computers are believed to be running Windows XP right now, so hackers put in place several dangerous tactics to trick users into downloading fake software updates and malicious applications.
The Telegraph is reporting that users are now targeted via YouTube links and Facebook posts that are encouraging them to download fake software updates, anti-virus applications, and programs that still work on Windows XP. Once these apps reach a Windows XP computer, users are assaulted with advertising deals, banners, and pop-ups asking them to purchase other programs, usually priced at only a few bucks, in order to remove infections which allegedly exist on their PCs.
Even though their computers are not infected, some users might actually buy the advertised products which, in return, do nothing good to their PCs, but instead could be used to deploy more malicious software.
The same source reports that in some cases users are directed to online surveys that need to be filled with personal information, such as name, address, and phone numbers, in order to download the application that promises to clean an infected computer.
Microsoft issued plenty of warnings that such a thing could happen, but in many cases, malicious applications could be blocked by legitimate anti-virus solutions that still receive updates on Windows XP computers. Avoiding clicking on suspicious links and downloading tools coming from untrusted sources is also a thing that needs to be done these days.
According to the latest set of figures provided by market researcher Net Applications, Windows XP continues to be used by 28 percent of the desktop machines worldwide, despite the fact that Microsoft had warned that end of support was coming for more than 12 months.
The majority of security vendors worldwide announced that security updates would continue to be delivered to their applications for 12 to 24 more months in order to keep Windows XP users protected until they manage to move to a newer operating system that could help them stay safe while browsing the web.
And still, Microsoft says that third-party security isn’t enough to keep you protected when end of support comes, so consider upgrading to a newer operating system as soon as possible if you’re still on XP.