Windows XP Support Ends; How to Stay Safe with Unpatched OS

The 13-year old Microsoft operating system has finally been laid to rest by its creator, at least in terms of support.

With Microsoft ending support for the Windows XP, users running devices on the operating system will be vulnerable to tons of malware and all other sorts of cyber attacks. The company has since urged Windows XP users to upgrade from the old OS. PC World notes that Microsoft has been doing so for 7 years, when the company has set the April 8, 2014 out-of-support date.

However, not all users have heeded the advice of Microsoft, compromising their businesses and personal data. Tim Rains of the Microsoft Security Blog has dished a short list of risks for users running the unprotected OS, along with some helpful tips to help contain threats.

According to him, small businesses and consumers should limit the websites that Windows XP-powered devices go to or altogether quit using Windows XP to surf the internet. "Surfing the Internet on Windows XP based systems after April 8th, 2014 will become more risky as new exploits for Windows XP are distributed among attackers via exploit kits," he warns.

Users of Windows XP-run devices are also advised to avoid using the system for sending and receiving email, which is another port of entry for cyber attacks. Using the system for email purposes might put consumers at risk for phishing attacks, malicious emails and IMs, says Rains.

Removable drives such as USBs also put out-of-support Windows XP systems at risk. Malware-infected USB drives might get past firewalls and passwords, eventually compromising the entire system.

Businesses are strongly advised to back-up data from possible ransomware infection, notes Rains. According to him, ransomware is a type of attack wherein small businesses and even consumers lose access to important data or systems. Backing-up data will allow for system restoration and possible recovery.

Rains notes that the suggestions are only for partial risk management and to contain possible damage. He adds that the best option is to migrate to a modern operating system like Windows 7 or Windows 8 that have a decade of evolved security mitigations built in and will be supported after April 8, 2014.