Microsoft has ended the support for Windows XP operating system last April. However, the software giant has provided a new fix for Windows XP users after a new bug came up in the Internet Explorer browser. This is a huge relief to the Windows XP users who were in search of a fix for this big threat.
The emergency fix comes after a security firm FireEye Inc. found that the new bug was being used by a group of hackers to initiate a campaign called Operation Clandestine Fox. The new fix was also released after Microsoft came under pressure from various corners. Various governments had already asked the customers to use a different browser until a fix was available.
Microsoft help & support for Windows XP ended in April 8, 2014. However, reports show that 15 to 20 percent of PCs are running on this operating system. This means that millions of PCs have still not been updated to any of the newer operating systems from Microsoft.
Windows XP was released in 2001 and since then it had been a favorite operating system of users around the world. It was the most widely used operating system until the release of Windows 7 in 2009. The operating system was being used in most of the business houses around the world. However, with the end of support for the operating system, it has become inevitable to upgrade this operating system.
However, many users say that they could not make an upgrade due to the high expense associated with the upgrade. In addition to the purchase of a new operating system, it may be necessary to upgrade the hardware of the machines. This is because other operating systems from Microsoft like Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 requires at least 1 GB of RAM and processors with higher speeds.
Another major worry is for banks. Most of the bank ATMs works on Windows XP operating system. According to Microsoft help & support center, as Microsoft has stopped the support for Windows XP operating system, the operating system in these machines too will not receive any updates. If hackers are able to crack into the embedded operating system in these machines, it could prove to be a major threat.
Even though users can still seek the help of third party technical support companies for minor issues with the operating system, other security issues could arise in the future, which might be beyond the scope of support.
The emergency fix comes after a security firm FireEye Inc. found that the new bug was being used by a group of hackers to initiate a campaign called Operation Clandestine Fox. The new fix was also released after Microsoft came under pressure from various corners. Various governments had already asked the customers to use a different browser until a fix was available.
Microsoft help & support for Windows XP ended in April 8, 2014. However, reports show that 15 to 20 percent of PCs are running on this operating system. This means that millions of PCs have still not been updated to any of the newer operating systems from Microsoft.
Windows XP was released in 2001 and since then it had been a favorite operating system of users around the world. It was the most widely used operating system until the release of Windows 7 in 2009. The operating system was being used in most of the business houses around the world. However, with the end of support for the operating system, it has become inevitable to upgrade this operating system.
However, many users say that they could not make an upgrade due to the high expense associated with the upgrade. In addition to the purchase of a new operating system, it may be necessary to upgrade the hardware of the machines. This is because other operating systems from Microsoft like Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 requires at least 1 GB of RAM and processors with higher speeds.
Another major worry is for banks. Most of the bank ATMs works on Windows XP operating system. According to Microsoft help & support center, as Microsoft has stopped the support for Windows XP operating system, the operating system in these machines too will not receive any updates. If hackers are able to crack into the embedded operating system in these machines, it could prove to be a major threat.
Even though users can still seek the help of third party technical support companies for minor issues with the operating system, other security issues could arise in the future, which might be beyond the scope of support.
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