Security updates and technical support for Windows XP ends today, with security firms advising those using the 13-year-old software to migrate to a modern operating system (OS) such as Windows 8.1 to protect themselves against malware and cybercrime.
Announcing the move last year, Microsoft said PCs running Windows XP were six times more vulnerable to threats than other operating systems, and the company is still urging user to migrate.
“You should take action. After April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows XP. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware and help keep users and their data safer,” the company said in a statement.
“PCs running Windows XP after April 8, 2014, should not be considered to be protected, and it is important that you migrate to a current supported operating system – such as Windows 8.1 – so you can receive regular security updates to protect their computer from malicious attacks.”
Security firms and experts echoed Microsoft’s call for users to migrate once support ends.
“Anyone currently running Windows XP already faced a disproportionate risk of falling victim to malware. Our data indicates that less than one fifth of our customers run Windows XP but more than a quarter of infections are Windows XP-based,” said Dave Emm, senior research analyst at Kaspersky.
HumanIPO reported earlier this month the majority of Nigerian ATMs are still running on Windows XP in spite of the fact there will be no security updates available, while a spokesperson for South Africa’s First National Bank (FNB) told HumanIPO the bank was on track for migration to Windows 7 and had a detailed plan to implement the changes which would not impact ATM usage for its customers.
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