xp, (no) patches & you

Temmu · Dec 5, 2013

greets!

so... come april, xp be patchless, and stuff.

anyone here going to pay the $200 / year / pc to purchase patches from microsoft?
anyone going to pay the additional per-patch fee for the non-critical updates?

anyone using a 3rd party patch creation vendor for the post-apocalyptic xp-fiasco?

or simply hope your anti-virus / anti-malware provider will keep you and your xp snug and safe?

rsvp - grate minds want to know.

x BlueRobot · Dec 5, 2013

Windows XP is old and outdated, I think it's time the operating system is finally put to rest. It's already had extended support, and any organisation which was serious about it's security would switch to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Temmu · Dec 5, 2013

lol - i would think that too - (i agree, xp is ancient, and 7 should replace it.)
but what about a mid-size business that would have to spend $40 - $50,000 to buy the new hardware to accommodate win 7? how many people should they fire to accommodate that?
what about software that will not run on win 7? (pa-lease don't tell me about xp mode, you may as well leave xp as the os)

x BlueRobot · Dec 5, 2013

For older software, they can simply disconnect the XP computer from the Internet, many science institutions and healthcare services like the NHS, still use Windows XP machines because they have no need to connect to the Internet.

However, there is still the threat of employees, bringing in infected USB sticks and external hard drives, and then infecting the system.

Temmu · Dec 7, 2013

indeed so.
i am hoping my workplace chooses to replace the 60% or so of our computing equipment that runs xp
although i think it may not happen.
sigh.

do you all believe (as i do) that once april hits, that the malware industry will release a wave of previously developed, but as yet unseen, attacks?

Wrench97 · Dec 7, 2013

It also depends in if the PC's have internet access, I have several that are single purpose machines and do not in fact one still uses IE6 and XP SP1 with 256 meg of ram a P4 CPU and no virus software it hums along just fine.

The second one is a laptop used to connect to trucks and run the diagnostic software package for the engines, It's P4m with 512meg XP SP2 and does run an old copy of Symantec corp a/v that we have debated about removing but since it does have working USB ports(for the diag software connection) we opted to leave it.

Both of these systems run older software not compatible with newer versions of IE, the trucks we use the software for are getting older by the day and are being replaced as major repairs are needed so updating the systems/software is not going to happen.

x BlueRobot · Dec 7, 2013

There most likely going to be a much higher infection rate with Windows XP, but then again, the average consumer uses their phone or tablet now.

Patrick · Dec 7, 2013

Windows XP SP3 holds the highest rank for infection rate (9.1 CCM).

do you all believe (as i do) that once april hits, that the malware industry will release a wave of previously developed, but as yet unseen, attacks?

What will likely happen is a few 0-day exploits are going to hit XP and there's really nothing that can be done. Businesses are going to have to migrate off of XP due to the systems simply not being labeled secure anymore because of loss of security updates. This will force developers of certain software to develop 7 / 8 based versions of the software that businesses use that is so far only compatible with XP. If it's older software, businesses may be forced to use shims to hang in there whilst they search for safer and more compatible alternatives.

It will be interesting to see.

Wrench97 · Dec 7, 2013

Depends on what the PC is used for, isolated systems running Windows CE for example will be around until they stop working and the hardware is replaced.
I have also serviced systems that still run CNC machines on dos based paper punch tape readers. Conversions are possible but costly if it's a milling machine that has been making the same part 3 times a month for the last 20 years it's hard to justify $10,000 for a upgrade sooner or later it'll be scrapped and the part called obsolete or if profitable enough transferred to a newer CNC process and newer multipurpose machine.

Also many like my shop P4 are not network connected have no cd/dvd drive and have the usb ports disabled so infection is unlikely.

cluberti · Dec 7, 2013

Give it time - ports and network access will not be required forever to spread malware.

Scientist-developed malware prototype covertly jumps air gaps using inaudible sound | Ars Technica

Search

Search

xp, (no) patches & you

Temmu

Well-known member

x BlueRobot

Administrator

Temmu

Well-known member

x BlueRobot

Administrator

Temmu

Well-known member

Wrench97

Administrator, Hardware Expert

x BlueRobot

Administrator

Patrick

Sysnative Staff

Wrench97

Administrator, Hardware Expert

cluberti

Senior Member