Author: Renfei (Neil Ren) Please cite the source when reposting. Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when the product is released and ends when it is no longer supported or sold. The once-familiar and excellent operating system Windows XP is about to leave us. It has completed its mission; it was outstanding, and many are reluctant to abandon it, but the times must move forward, and XP will also become history. End of support means: the date when automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance are no longer provided. Without Microsoft support, you will no longer receive any security updates that can help your computer defend against harmful viruses, spyware, and other malware that may steal personal information.
| Client operating system | Service Pack | Mainstream support end date | Extended support end date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows XP | Service Pack 3 | April 14, 2009 | April 8, 2014 |
| Windows Vista | Service Pack 2 | April 10, 2012 | April 11, 2017 |
| Windows 7 * | Service Pack 1 | January 13, 2015 | January 14, 2020 |
| Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | January 9, 2018 | January 10, 2023 |
What is the impact on us after support ends? The “Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, Volume 15” shows that once Windows XP ends support on April 8, 2014 and no longer receives security updates, the security risk of continuing to use Windows XP will rise. Data shows that within two years after Windows XP Service Pack 2 ended support, its malware infection count increased by 66% compared to Windows XP Service Pack 3. And Windows XP Service Pack 3 will also end support next year; users migrating from Windows XP to a more modern operating system is urgent. Currently worldwide, the top three threats facing users still running Windows XP are:
- Sality virus: malware that steals personal information and lowers the computer’s security level.
- Ramnit virus: malware that infects Windows executable files, Microsoft Office files, and HTML files.
- Vobfus worm virus: a worm that can automatically download other malware and can also be downloaded to users’ computers by other malware. This virus can also spread through mobile devices such as USB flash drives.
According to data released by StatCounter, Windows XP currently accounts for about 21% of the operating systems in use worldwide, and 58.7% in China. The Microsoft Security Report points out that the most common security threats detected in China are:
- Conficker worm virus: 3.36%, a worm family that disables important Windows services and security products and downloads and runs malicious code when the user starts file sharing.
- IframeRef trojan virus: 3.51%, a special IFrame tag pointing to remote websites containing malicious content.
- Obfuscator code obfuscation technique: 7.71%, indirectly blocks programs protected by antivirus software.
Microsoft has achieved proud accomplishments in the operating system field, but no technology can stay at the forefront of trends forever; even the most advanced security protection technology has a day of obsolescence. To effectively combat cybercriminal activities, more effective advanced technology is needed to protect users’ security, and the natural evolution of this technology is the core of Microsoft’s product lifecycle strategy. So, after Microsoft ends support for Windows XP, we individuals had better switch operating systems — we’ll have to switch sooner or later; you can’t use XP for a lifetime.