More than 27 per cent of PCs are running on the Windows XP operating system (OS), in spite of the fact Microsoft withdrew security updates and technical support for the 13-year-old software yesterday.
Figures from NetMarketShare show as of last month 27.69 per cent of PCs were still running on XP, down from 37.74 per cent in May 2013 but still far higher than Microsoft intends given the number of warnings it has released of the impending support withdrawal.
HumanIPO reported yesterday on the ending of support for Windows XP, after Microsoft last year said PCs running on the OS were six times more vulnerable to threats than others.
NetMarketShare’s figures had PCs using Windows 8 at 48.77 per cent in March, up slightly from 44.85 per cent in May of last year.
Security firms and experts have 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.
Banks running their ATMs on the OS are also affected by the withdrawal of updates. South African banks said yesterday they were dealing with the issue – ABSA having done a deal with Microsoft to extend support, Standard Bank set to upgrade to Windows 7 shortly, Nedbank in the process of upgrading and First National Bank (FNB) saying it is on track – though in Nigeria banks are further behind.
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.
