On 8 April, Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP operating system, said the corporation . The company released the final security update for its OS, and then it will stop servicing the desktop platform. Windows XP was issued on 25 October 2001. It is noteworthy that the name of XP comes from the English word “experience”. The platform really impressed users, while remaining the most widely used operating system until August 2012.

To date, according to NetMarketShare, 27.7% of PC users in the world still work with Windows XP. For this indicator, the platform is second only to Windows 7, which accounts for 48.8 % of the market. Versions of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 in the amount are gaining just over 11 % of the PC market.

Windows XP end of support means that the manufacturer discontinues official update of platform, including security updates closing vulnerabilities. Practically, this means that more than a quarter of the world’s computers are potentially vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Microsoft recommends Windows XP users to upgrade to a current version of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. For easier transition Microsoft in conjunction with Laplink service prepared tools for free PCmover Express data transfer, which will copy files and settings, including documents, music, videos, emails and profile information from a computer  based on Windows XP and will transfer them to a device with the new versions of the platform. The user can select what data he wants to move when changing the operating system.

Previously, Jason Fossen of SANS Institute said that after 8 April 2014, you can expect dramatic increase of hackers. They take advantage of the cessation of support for Windows XP and will perform more frequent attacks on computers based on outdated OS.

Source: MacDigger.ru