MS Endangered Species Grows by a Power of 2 threatening computer security.
Showing its age by recent announcements of two discontinuations, Microsoft fuels farewell fondness. Not just Windows XP is going away – no longer supported after April 2014. But Windows Server 2003 is also on the list to cease and desist. July 14, 2015, is the date for end of support for popular Windows Server 2003 operating system (OS). All fertile ground for computer security issues.
Consider Windows ME or Vista. Does anyone regret their demise or even remember them? But so many of us do remember XP Pro! 400 million to put it into a number. And all those people who manage networks (like Alliant) have fond memories of Windows Server 2003 – 12-13 million machines in this server capacity – about 55% of current Windows Servers.
US companies with Windows XP have mostly (90%) updated at this late date. But only 25% have plans to meet or beat the Windows Server 2003 end of service date. Human nature says the big rush will come in the early part of next year, a few months before the final day. And may I say that April 15 is around the corner? Another date millions procrastinate for differing reasons.
Both server and desktop need the computer security patches that are regularly issued against ongoing hacker attacks. And the word on the street is that the hackers are waiting for the deadline with bated breath! That is, they’ve already prepared their avenues of access to release into the wild. So a network that is 90% compliant with upgrades can compromise the entire network with just one XP machine hold-out. A bad trade off for the convenience of familiarity. Lack of computer security is not worth gain of computer familiarity.
Windows 7 and Windows 8 are available options for avoiding the security breach represented by Windows XP. The upgrade for your server’s operating system is Windows Server 2012. Give Alliant a call to determine which is best for your network and software systems. Or for further information, follow Microsoft’s helpful advice. One way or the other, take into consideration your need to reduce problems from lack of computer security.
