Microsoft Predicts a Dark Future for Windows XP Users

[Matsuda]

Microsoft has just released the Security Intelligence Report 15 which includes details on the recent malware activity affecting the company’s products, as well as statistics and figures regarding the infection rate of its operating system.

Windows XP is one of the main topics in the new report and as Microsoft collects data from more than 1 billion computers with Windows Update turned on, it tries to explain everyone that sticking to this particular operating system beyond its retirement date is very risky.

What Microsoft is trying to say is that Windows XP is slowly becoming a very vulnerable operating system, so moving to either Windows 8 or 8.1 is a critical step for most users out there.

“Infection rates for more recently released operating systems and service packs tend to be lower than infection rates for earlier releases, for both client and server platforms,” the report reads.

“Encounter rates also tend to be significantly lower on server platforms than on client platforms: servers are not typically used to browse the web nearly as frequently as client computers, and web browser features such as Enhanced Security Configuration in Internet Explorer discourage using servers to visit untrusted websites.”

As you can see in this chart, Windows XP SP3 is at this point the most vulnerable operating system on the market and after its April 8, 2014 retirement date, the number of exploits at this version is very likely to grow.

Windows 8, on the other hand, is said to include much more advanced protection features, so its CCM rate has dropped to 2.3 points on the 32-bit version and to 1.4 points on the 64-bit release.

Windows 8.1 does everything even better. Microsoft promotes the new 8.1 as the right choice for everyone, not necessarily because it’s the latest OS that got released, but also because it bundles multiple security improvements.

The main problem, however, is that moving from Windows XP to 8.1 requires new hardware which in most cases makes it a very costly transition.



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[PrEzi]

The infection rate is so low, cause before the users find IE on the "new" Start Screen it takes them ages...

//Sarcasm off ;)

Of course they will promote Win8.1 cause it's their new 'n' funky 'n' improved 'n' SELL SELL SELL

[Arachnoid]

So Vista x32 is no worse of than 7....... :D

Edited October 29, 2013 by Arachnoid

[cyberber]

Am I glad to see this happen

[Whoopenstein]

Look$ like M$ is phi$hing for new sale$

[DiNGuS!]

Windows 8.1 does everything even better.

:rolleyes:

Edited October 30, 2013 by DiNGuS!

[CGeek]

Micro$hit needs money ;o)

[cyberber]

Micro$hit needs money and so do you I hope they erase XP from the phase of this earth

Edited October 30, 2013 by cyberber

[satviewer2000]

So if we use XP 64-bit we will be ok?

[smallhagrid]

Once again the world's most obvious oxymoron shows it's UGLY face:

'Trust mikr0$0ft'

Hahahahahaha !!!

Gullibility tests are everywhere......!

[NightWalker]

All this hate against Microsoft (and some big players) is so stupid and irracional, common people dont lose yourself in group histeria.

First, companies work to do money and so as individuals like you and me, there is nothing wrong with this, really ...

In second place, Windows 8.1 is so much more secure than Windows Xp that if you say otherwise you are just ignorant or plain dishonest.

ASLR, DEP, Smart Screen, PatchGuard, LUA, UAC, Internet Explorer Protected Mode, SecureBoot and so much more ...

Edited October 30, 2013 by NightWalker

[smallhagrid]

The only way to be 'safe' and/or 'secure' in today's world with regard to using a computer or other tech gear is to NOT use it with an internet connection of any kind.

So...

Having the latest m$ OS makes you feel good ??

Great. I am happy for you.

Others (like myself) do not want it and will go from XP (which remains fine) directly to Linux just to avoid being tyrannized by the choices m$ makes for new users that we want no part of.

You believe that always getting newer and newer stuff is somehow better ??

Great - I am happy for you once again.

It is your money and your life to spend as you wish.

Just DO NOT try to tell me what I must do or buy because that ain't going to work very well for you or anyone else who tries it.

Old software and older OSes can do what folks need for them to do and if someone's choices are old fashioned by your standards then leave them be and expect the same from them in your direction.

Aside of that=> m$ is a monopoly - has been for a very long time.

They are not now nor have they ever been 'innovators' - they have outright stolen then bought their way out of troubles after being caught over and over again.

They do deserve our extreme respects for one very important innovation of theirs though=>

M$ more or less invented what they now call 'piracy' and made BIG uses of it before anyone else.

[ShEsHy]

Holy shit I still remember that XP key :). Used it so many times on so many different computers it's gotten hardcoded in my memory ;).

Edited October 30, 2013 by ShEsHy

[Whoopenstein]

Holy shit I still remember that XP key :). Used it so many times on so many different computers it's gotten hardcoded in my memory ;).

Yarr! An they blacklisted it too - the skallywags!

[CPowell46]

I used Windows 7 for about a year before I wiped the disk and installed XP. (And found that all the scare stories about that were quite false. I had no trouble at all.) I'm not even bothering with 8. I'm sticking with XP until something I like better comes along. And I have no need of any Microsoft "support". I haven't installed an update since SP3, and I've had no malware problems whatsoever. What are anti-malware programs for, anyway? I have a lot more confidence in Avast! than in Microsoft.

[banned]

And found that all the scare stories about that were quite false. I had no trouble at all.

Yeah, Windows XP runs great on newer hardware, provided one can acquire the necessary drivers.

The malware scare is only useful for newbies who open random files or e-mail attachments.

[oliverjia]

To be honest, sometimes I am not sure if you will find out whether or not you've already infected by, say trojan horse, which is hidden and does not usually do destructive actions other than stealing your private information. When Windows OS have some security holes, the OS can be infected without the need to run a executable or email attachment.

I am mainly using Ubuntu x64 latest distro with firewall set to ON.

I used Windows 7 for about a year before I wiped the disk and installed XP. (And found that all the scare stories about that were quite false. I had no trouble at all.) I'm not even bothering with 8. I'm sticking with XP until something I like better comes along. And I have no need of any Microsoft "support". I haven't installed an update since SP3, and I've had no malware problems whatsoever. What are anti-malware programs for, anyway? I have a lot more confidence in Avast! than in Microsoft.

[banned]

When Windows OS have some security holes, the OS can be infected without the need to run a executable or email attachment.

Yes, but the same is true of most other operating systems as well, not just Windows. By far the most common way people get infected is by opening malicious websites, files, and e-mails attachments. Safe computing behavior is the most effective anti-malware.

The main problem, however, is that moving from Windows XP to 8.1 requires new hardware which in most cases makes it a very costly transition.

That's not necessarily true, since many XP users already have modern hardware. Also, I've found that Windows 8.1 actually runs slower at times than Windows XP does on current hardware..

Hey Microsoft, with your terrible sales, CEO letdown, and recent reputation for government surveillance, I predict a dark future for YOU.

Edited October 31, 2013 by banned

[NightWalker]

Too much Straw Man fallacy in this topic :lol:

https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/strawman

1- Windows 7/8 is much more secure and faster than XP, it is a fact, if newer operating systems can be "hacked" it is another story.

2- No, Windows XP doesnt run great with current hardware. SSDs, Quad Cores processors, Directx 11 vgas, 4 gb+ rams machines sucks on XP for many reasons.

3- "Malware scare is only useful for newbies"? This is so stupid that isnt even funny, look at how many people are infected these days. They need to be protected, with newer OS, they chances to stay malware free are much higher than with legacy software.

With Windows 8 the average user has by default an antivirus, a good firewall, a cloud protection system (SmartScreen) and greater protection against drive by dowloads (ASLR)

http://www.welivesecurity.com/2012/10/09/windows-8s-security-features/ (ESET White Paper)

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Windows-8-Security-Garners-Praise-at-Black-Hat-162001/

[CODYQX4]

.

Edited April 28, 2019 by CODYQX4

[CPowell46]

There are some people who parrot the Microsoft party line no matter what it happens to be at the moment. Just like people of a certain political persuasion...

[MidnightDistortions]

Microsoft may as well hand out free copies of W8 out because XP users do not want or don't believe they need a new OS. But instead only 10% or less are on W8 M$ wants pretty much everyone to be on W8 so they are seeking out XP users to do it with. It's planned obsolescence. XP works fine for some so that's why they don't believe in buying something new to have it doing the same thing for what the old one can do. They are fighting for that and they don't care about security. Back up any data don't store any credit card or vital information and your fine. So there's really no need to throw your money away. I have used W98 2 years past it's death date, nothing happened other then a lack of browser support, i might have kept using it if i didn't have to deal with that. In any case no one should have to feel forced to buy something they don't want if what they have works fine.

[CPowell46]

Hear, hear! And XP does work fine...with the latest hardware, and with all the software that I want to use.

[smallhagrid]

Bravo !!!:

Hear, hear! And XP does work fine...with the latest hardware, and with all the software that I want to use.

It is wonderful to have such good company here.

Rank consumerism is just a gullibility test...'BUY THIS!' - 'BUY MORE!' - 'MUST HAVE THE NEWEST!'....Fail.

[MidnightDistortions]

Normally i wouldn't care so much for the death of XP but the economy is bad and MS is trying to promote W8/8.1. And then trying to force users hands in order to get users on a half built OS and the talk about Windows going to cloud is ridiculous. Well anytime the internet goes out, so does your OS.

People let MS get away with destroying an OS without any consequence. "oh your too stupid to use W8, you can't download a start menu?" Ridiculous rubbish. There isn't that many choices and MS knows this, but they think they can get everyone off of XP and can do whatever they want with Windows. If a company changes your favorite recipe you wouldn't be buying the new one. That's the same for Windows, MS is changing the recipe. If XP does have complications in the future, i bet MS is giving money to hackers to try to get XP users to switch.