The Walking Dead, 28 Days Later and Windows XP. What do they all have in common? Windows XP has been likened to a zombie in the media as it just won’t die and keeps coming back for more.
Despite Microsoft developing several more technologically-advanced operating systems, Windows XP has stood resolute for 13 years but now the end is finally nigh.
8 April 2014 is a date many small-medium size enterprises may be dreading, and cyber hackers are eagerly awaiting – when Microsoft stops support and updates to its Windows XP operating system.
It's a momentous day in the technology world; one that Microsoft has been warning people and businesses about for months; and one that hi-tech thieves have been looking forward to as digital security is vastly reduced.
Windows XP was launched in 2001 and quickly became a favourite of homes and offices around the world. XP currently commands a whopping 30 per cent of the desktop market, and Gartner estimates that on 9 April, 20-25% of company computers will not have upgraded to a later operating system.
Computers still running XP will face huge security implications and so it is vital that computers be upgraded to a later operating system such as Windows 7 or 8.1 (which works well on tablets and now includes a start button – hurrah!) to prevent them from being easy targets for viruses, malware and online attacks.
Staff will be less productive, spending time troubleshooting issues, since they’ll no longer receive technical support from Microsoft, and cyber attacks may threaten the functioning of the business as a whole. More broadly, it’s not only single computers which will be open to attack, but machines which operate as part of a network mean others can be easily infected. Think Contagion– a rampant epidemic spreading throughout the office.
Businesses need to start planning to upgrade operating systems and machines before it’s too late. Businesses and technology are evolving all the time and it is important that companies use equipment which can follow the changing demands of the market, their customers and competitors. As a bonus, Windows 8.1 allows you to access some pretty funky apps so there’s no more searching through a list of programs to find what you want.
Keeping XP is like concealing a zombie: when your firewall goes down, you’re leaving yourself open to attack. Don’t be a casualty; avoid your own zombie-like office apocalypse and upgrade now!
In summary:
- Microsoft is stopping support and updates to its Windows XP operating system on 8 April.
- Machines still running this operating system will be more vulnerable and open to attack. This could have great consequences if the computers are part of a network.
- Companies need to upgrade their systems soon.
For more information and to see how Peach might be able to help your business, call: 0800 093 2956 or email: windowsxp@peachtelecom.co.uk