Windows XP Support Ending

Released in 2001, Windows XP is arguably Microsoft’s most popular operating system of all time. It’s so popular that 31% of all PC users still run the old operating system to this day.

Those numbers are sure to change sooner rather than later, though, as Microsoft has announced that as of April 8, 2014 it will no longer be providing support for the decade-old OS.

What does the lack of support mean to users? Well, it means it’s about time to upgrade the OS or face the consequences that come with sticking with XP. Without support, including bug fixes, from Microsoft, viruses and malware from those with evil intentions can, and likely will, run rampant on machines using the old OS. In fact, Microsoft has already discovered a previously unknown exploit that hackers are already working on using to their advantage once support for the OS stops next year.

“The vulnerability is an elevation of privilege vulnerability,” Microsoft said in a security release. “An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.”

The best way to protect yourself from an outsider gaining access to private information is to upgrade your operating system, or, in some cases, your computer. You can find out if your current machine can support Windows 8 by clicking the link, HERE.

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