XP Support Ends
Microsoft will today (April 8) end support for its Windows XP operating system after a 13-year lifecycle.
The move means that technical support and security patches will no longer be issued for the software, although users can pay for continued updates.
Reports suggest that the UK government has paid Microsoft ?5.5 million for ongoing security updates to Windows XP, Office 2003 and Exchange 2003 on public-sector computers.
However, the end of Windows XP support is believed to have put some British businesses at risk of hacker intrusion, as figures from AppSense appear to indicate that 77% of organisations across the country were still using the OS.
Although the amount of machines running the software is said to be relatively small, security experts warn that just one vulnerable PC can put an entire network at risk.
The banking industry is expected to be hit hard by the end of Windows XP support, as the vast majority of the world's cash machines were powered by the software.
The move means that technical support and security patches will no longer be issued for the software, although users can pay for continued updates.
Reports suggest that the UK government has paid Microsoft ?5.5 million for ongoing security updates to Windows XP, Office 2003 and Exchange 2003 on public-sector computers.
However, the end of Windows XP support is believed to have put some British businesses at risk of hacker intrusion, as figures from AppSense appear to indicate that 77% of organisations across the country were still using the OS.
Although the amount of machines running the software is said to be relatively small, security experts warn that just one vulnerable PC can put an entire network at risk.
The banking industry is expected to be hit hard by the end of Windows XP support, as the vast majority of the world's cash machines were powered by the software.
Comment