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Sebastian Anthony writes that Microsoft is setting an awful precedent by caving and issuing a fix for Windows XP. "Yes, tardy governments and IT administrators can breathe a little easier for a little bit longer," writes Anthony, "and yes, your mom and dad are yet again safe to use their old Windows XP beige box. But to what end? It's just delaying the inevitable." This won't be the only vulnerability found in XP adds Dwight Silverman. "If Microsoft makes an exception now, what about the flaw found after this one? And the next? And the one after that, ad infinitum?" Even though Microsoft has released a patch for the IE flaw, and Windows XP is included, it's time to move on really. "I don't want to hear that tired "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" line. Hey, XP IS broke, and it will just get more so over time. Upgrade to a newer version of Windows, or switch to another modern operating system, such as OS X or Linux."
(Score: 3, Interesting) by jim302 on Sunday May 04 2014, @12:40AM
My somewhat selfish reason for agreeing with the article is that I told everyone on XP that they should upgrade since these vulnerabilities won't be patched going forward. When Microsoft patches them anyways, it makes people feel like they wasted their money, and as a result they are less likely to take my advice going forward. It also makes it hard to convince people who still have XP systems that they still need to upgrade.
Love them or hate them, Microsoft has done a very good job of supporting XP for way longer than they had to. Support has to end at some point... they can't be expected to keep supporting it forever.
On the other hand, unpatched PCs just become part of the zombie army, spreading even more malware, spam, DDoS attacks, and other unpleasant things across the Internet. Therefore, patching vulnerabilities that are easy to exploit will make things better for everyone whether they use Windows XP or not. They already have the patches for paying customers, so it isn't like they are going through any special effort.
(Score: 1) by hendrikboom on Sunday May 04 2014, @01:00PM
It's not about protecting the people running XP.
It's about protecting the others who are attacked by zombie XP machines.
And I suppose IE is one of the attack targets for zombie masters.
This is why I approve the update.
But what Microsoft's reasons for offering the upgrade are I don't know.
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Sunday May 04 2014, @04:15PM
But what Microsoft's reasons for offering the upgrade are I don't know.
It's simple; governments around the world were telling everyone not to use IE. Not patching it would have been devastating to their IE wing.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Sunday May 04 2014, @04:12PM
Love them or hate them, Microsoft has done a very good job of supporting XP for way longer than they had to. Support has to end at some point
I don't agree with "way longer than they had to". New computers were being shipped with it just seven years ago, and a quarter of all desktops and laptops on the internet run it. Yes, support has to end at some point but we're nowhere near that point yet. When the numbers are under 5% it will be safe to end support, but 26% of desktops and laptops is a pretty damned big botnet.
IMO Microsoft is acting almost as irresponsibly as Ford with the Pinto gas tanks and Chevy with the ignition switches.
I've been helping friends with XP out by installing kubuntu dual-boot and removing the network components from Windows. Kind of hard to get a virus or trojan if you're not on the network. But most non-nerds have no clue what to do about the situation except landfill perfectly working machinery and waste money replacing it -- if they have the money. Many of those XP computers were given to the poor.
Microsoft is as sociopathic as any corporation; that's the nature of corporations. The love of money is the root of all evil. We nerds need to stop apologizing for their sociopathic behavior and hold their feet to the fire. Don't let these billionaires get away with their psychopathology.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 1) by meisterister on Monday May 05 2014, @12:06AM
It wasn't even seven. There were still a few new netbooks running XP as recently as 2008 and 2009. Not only that, but Microsoft was still selling volume licenses as recently as 2010 (My school bought at least twenty copies for Parallels).
(May or may not have been) Posted from my K6-2, Athlon XP, or Pentium I/II/III.