Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Rompe tus Murallas

Rompe tus Murallas
No tengas miedo de estar solo, de mirarte interiormente y de encontrarte en tu silencio. Ten miedo de ser un solitario, aislado de los que te rodean, desconfiado, sin amigos y sin comunicación.

Nunca temas decir la verdad o expresar con claridad lo que sientes y afirma aquello que has visto o has oído. Teme más bien engañarte a ti mismo, autoconvencerte de la mentira o colocar máscaras en tu rostro.
Sé tú mismo en donde estés, aceptando a los otros como son. Vive con intensidad y dinamismo. Rompe tus murallas, levántate y la vida será para ti un canto y cada día será una fiesta...

Date prisa: tus sueños te están esperando, pero no van a esperar para siempre..

¡¡ El Ignorante busca culpables, el sabio soluciones !!



Eso depende del lugar que lo mires, porque si eres opositor y ves las burradas del gobierno, es que quieres justicia y das soluciones pero nadie las oye y menos las cumple o las aplica. Pero si estas del lado del gobierno no quieres buscar culpables porque son tus compañeros de partido y a eso se le hecha tierra, y las soluciones buscas la mejor que te convenga, asi todos se meten mucho dinero en el bolsillo y los nuestros se hacen ricos a costilla de los pobres de pueblo. ESTA ES LA VERDAD, POR ESO TODO PERSONA QUIERE PERTENECER AL GOBIERNO Y MANDAR, PORQUE ESO TE DA PODER DE PISAR A LOS DEMAS, CAMBIARLE SU VIDA PARA PEOR O PARA MEJOR, LO MALO ES QUE LA MAYORIA DE LOS GOBIERNOS, IMPERIOS, REINADOS, DINASTIAS MAS PODEROSOS DEL MUNDO Y QUE LA HISTORIA NOS CUENTA, SIEMPRE LE DAN PEOR VIDA AL PUEBLO, A CAMBIO DE QUE LOS GOBERNANTES SE HAGAN MAS RICOS Y MAS FAMOSOS.

¡¡¡ SOY OPOSITOR !!!



Yo tambien soy opositor, como lo soy de empleos de mucho curro y poco pasta, luego dicen que uno se pone de mal humor y que no atiende bien a la gente, pero lo que hacen con nosotros para que su negocio gane dinero nunca es injusto, solo lo ven injusto los que hacen camara oculta en los centro de cuidado de dementes, que creen que la miseria que pagan, uno debe soportar todos los insultos y golpes de los enfermos mentales, y lo peor que es cada minuto hacen una guarrada mayor que la anterior, por eso no estoy de acuerdo con las filmaciones ocultas injustas, solo para ver si uno se comporta bien con un demente que te agrede sin cesar, y uno debe seguir soportando con buena cara y buenos tratos, esto es lo que pasa con los enfermos cronicos que no hay quien los quiera cuidar, y lo peor es que uno necesita el dinero, de eso se aprovechan !!! y luego lo juzgan si lo hacen uno mejor o mucho mejor poniendolo al aire en el noticiero. Por que no ponen lo malo quehacen los politicos en los noticieros y asi veriamos la verdad y no lo que quieren mostrarnos solamente.

Friday, April 25, 2014

¡ NO SOMOS NADIE !

A decir verdad
pasamos por serlo,
No Somos Nadie
Nunca lo fuimos,
Y no lo pretendemos ser ahora
quisiera morirme para probar otra cosa,
Ya que estar despierto y dormido no me satisface,

Atentamente,
El Desilusionado.

Alex Rojas Riva

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Nest Learning Thermostat.


Nest Learning Thermostat
Rethink your heating system.
Save Energy !
The Nest Learning Thermostat programs itself, turns the heat down when you’re away and can be controlled from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.
Price: 179.00 Pounds.
In stock

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Learn how to browse in incognito mode in Google Chrome.



Incognito Mode
Learn how to browse in incognito mode in Google Chrome, so you open the pages and files you download remain unregistered in the browsing history and downloads of Chrome. More information about accessing the incognito mode. https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464?hl=en

 

 Modo incógnito

Aprende cómo navegar en modo incógnito en Google Chrome, de forma que las páginas que abras y los archivos que descargues no queden registrados en el historial de navegación y de descargas de Chrome. Más información sobre cómo acceder al modo incógnito

How to Download and Use Netcraft's Heartbleed Detector.



How to Download and Use Netcraft's Heartbleed Detector


By - Source: Tom's Guide US | B 1 comment




Reddit


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It's been two weeks since the devastating Heartbleed Internet-security encryption bug was first made public, but many websites have yet to patch the flaw, and their users are still at risk. One way to protect yourself is by installing Internet analytics and security company Netcraft's free browser-based Heartbleed detector for Firefox, Opera and Chrome.
Netcraft's is not the first Heartbleed-detecting browser extension we've seen since the bug was disclosed April 7. But it may be one of the best; in addition to showing you if a site is currently vulnerable, it also indicates whether the site was ever vulnerable in the past two years.
MORE: Heartbleed Bug: Information, Advice and Resources
Why does it matter if a website was ever vulnerable to Heartbleed? Because any information -- such as your login credentials -- that passed through a Web server while it used a flawed version of the OpenSSL encryption library could have been read by an attacker.
If you're still using the same password to log into a website as you did when the site was vulnerable to Heartbleed, you should consider that password compromised and change it.
The Netcraft browser extension also contains a button that lets users flag a page they believe to be a phishing site. There's a chance cybercriminals will prey on people's fears of Heartbleed to trick them into clicking links that appear to be helpful, but are actually scams. 
Here's how to set up and use Netcraft's Heartbleed browser extension.
1. Go to toolbar.netcraft.com/install and click on the icon of the browser on which you wish to install the extension (Firefox, Chrome or Opera). For this article, we're using the Chrome version; clicking the Chrome icon on the Netcraft page takes you to the Chrome Web store.


2. In the Chrome Web store, click the button that reads "+ Free." A popup box will appear asking you to confirm that you wish to add the extension. Click "Add."

3. Once it's added, you'll see the Netcraft logo in the upper right of your Chrome browser (next to the icons of your other extensions).

4. To check a given website's Heartbleed-related security, click on the Netcraft extension icon. A dropdown box will appear with the site's risk rating, country of origin, date created and other statistics. There's also a button that lets you flag a page as a possible phishing site.

Email jscharr@techmedianetwork.com or follow her @JillScharr and Google+. Follow us @TomsGuide, on Facebook and on Google+.

Scan your Links before click !!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

El Silencio

 

 

 

El silencio es el comiezo de nada.
Entre un instante de reflexión de lo que se quiere o no.
Una reflexión: ¿Cómo se debe actuar después de un
problema?.
 
La forma mas serena de salir de una situación hostil.
La incertidumbre entre lo bueno o malo.
No saber que hacer, porque no era lo que yo pensaba.
No saber que decir, ya que esto no es lo que esperaba.
 
Incertidumbre entre la verdad y la mentira.
Solo se utiliza para beneficio propio.
Carencia de sonidos, de palabras, de melodías...
La sensación de sentirse vivo o no.
 
No aportar lo esperado por ese ser.
O simplemente, dejarle a solas, al no tener ganas de
tenerle delante.
Solo dijo que te amaba y lamenta haberlo hecho...
El silencio lleva a pensar mucho y no entender nada...
 

 

Carmen Llarenas Perez

21/4/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Google’s New Modular Phone May Be the Last You’ll Need to Buy.



Google’s New Modular Phone May Be the Last You’ll Need to Buy
  • By   
  • 6:30 am   

The Ara prototype. Photo: Norman Chan/Tested.com
The Ara prototype. Photo: Norman Chan/Tested.com
At the Project Ara Developer’s Conference in Santa Clara, California, the moment of unveiling was a bit of a letdown. When project lead Paul Eremenko got ready for the big reveal — finally showing off Google’s vision for a modular phone with working, user-interchangeable components — he had to dampen expectations from the enthusiastic crowd. “You should temper your applause,” he warned, explaining that the device had been damaged the previous day. “We did crack the screen, and the phone doesn’t quite boot.” A disappointment, sure, but it did little to actually temper anything.
Project Ara is Google’s attempt to reinvent the cellphone as we know it. Instead of a slab of glass and metal that you have no ability to upgrade, save for buying a new device, it’s an attempt to launch a phone where all of the main components are interchangeable via modules that click in and out, attaching via electro-permanent magnets. Despite being highly customizable, it will only come in three main sizes, helping to eliminate the kind of device fragmentation that currently plagues Android. Google plans to roll out a “gray model,” a very basic device that costs as little as $50, as well as higher-end handsets that could go for as much as $500 and up. The former will be released first — around this time next year if all goes according to plan — and will likely be a smaller, Wi-Fi-only version. This bare-bones model will be followed by the higher-end ones eventually. But Google’s initial objective is to ramp up a hardware ecosystem that moves at the same pace as the software it runs.
It’s ambitious, to say the least.
Image: Courtesy of Google
Image: Courtesy of Google
There’s a certain prescience to the damaged prototype. It bears one of the most common injuries you’ll see on a smartphone: a cracked screen. In theory, this is just the kind of issue Ara will solve. But because it came directly from Germany, and because there is no way to replace the module here in the United States, it’s just another broken phone.
It also drives home another point: When Ara devices do hit the streets, they will only be as good as their support network. For the support to work, you’ve got to have a lot of modules, and a lot of access to those modules. Project Ara needs a network of retail stores where people can do things like pick up a new screen. It also needs enough developers making modules to sustain that kind of retail presence — and it needs it globally.
Google is working to make things easy for programmers and hardware manufacturers to work with the Ara standards, but for many items — anything that uses radio frequencies and thus requires FCC approval for example — it’s going to need buy-in from consumers too.
Google’s willingness to try something so ambitious in public is energizing, particularly in the era of the get-rich-quick smartphone app.
All of this makes for a heady and optimistic yet extremely uncertain future. Ara is a project from Google’s ATAP (advances technology and projects) group. ATAP is philosophically and structurally based on DARPA; it was one of the few things Google kept from Motorola when it sold the company to Lenovo.
And honestly Ara, at least as a concept, is fantastic. Who wouldn’t want the ability to some day print out new parts for their smartphone at home, expanding its life expectancy to six years and beyond? Google’s willingness to try something so ambitious in public is energizing, particularly in the era of the get-rich-quick smartphone app. Project Ara’s goals could transform the industry, give people greater control over their own devices, and free them from the annual cycles of obsolescence. It’s flexible platform suitable for everyone, everywhere, from every walk of life.
Or, it could be a catastrophic and very public failure. A huge embarrassment. This is what Google does best. Its willingness to take big risks and make big bets knowing they may not pan out is a remarkable attribute in a publicly traded company.
The Project Ara conference is an important first step for the initiative. It’s the first time Google is looping in developers and laying out the technical groundwork. There will be two more conferences this year, where presumably we’ll see more modules and hopefully working prototypes. Whether or not Google can pull this off remains to be seen. But it will be one of the most exciting stories to watch in technology during the next year.
Image: Courtesy of Google
Image: Courtesy of Google


Thursday, April 17, 2014

¿Qué es la verdad?

Aunque la verdad es muy dolorosa, es mil veces preferible que la mentira.
Nunca he creido en las mentiras blancas, es solo una excusa, una excusa para obtener de los demás el beneficio propio.
La mentira tarde o temprano se descubrirá y dejará en evidencia su origen e interés.
La verdad es una cuestión de integridad y de consciencia.
Ademas es lo único que conduce a la justicia.
Existe la incertidumbre y es: cierto o no cierto.
Existe el miedo a seguir adelante en una sociedad tan perdida y tan materialista...
En religiones donde lo fundamental son los bienes materiales...
Solo Dios sabe la verdad. Por eso el tiempo coloca todo en su lugar...




Discernimiento Matutino.

Discernimiento Matutino.

Muchas veces la verdad nos hace daño a nosotros mismos, será por esto que la gente prefiere mentir y ser más falsa.

¡ Dios !, ¿Cuál es el punto justo donde la verdad no me hace daño, ni tampoco a los demás?, y les enseñamos a la gente que la mentira destruye más que la verdad.

Enseñame a saber encontrar la frase correcta, en el momento oportuno, frente a las personas idóneas con las que podemos demostrar que la minoria se puede convertir en mayoria, y tener la razon absoluta y la justicia de nuestro lado, sin que el Poder pueda hacer nada para parar el cambio inevitable de las circunstancias históricas.

¡ Aclarame esta incertidumbre Dios !

Sinceramente, 
Alex Rojas Riva.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Recomiendo Leer esta Carta.

Querido Optimista, pesimista y realista....

Mientras estabais ocupados discutiendo sobre el plato de comida.

Me lo comi !!

Saludos Cordiales,

El Oportunista.

Turning off data roaming mobile when travel abroad.

Switch off data roaming and iCloud mobile to avoid a Mass Mobile Bill before Travelling Abroad. The best way is unlocked your mobile before your travel or buy a cheaper unlocked mobile, then when arrived to your destination buy a local prepaid SIM Card with enough Data Mobile, like (150 Country Minutes, Unlimited Texts, 250 or 500 MB Data), and install in your smartphone just during your holidays. Do not forget to use Free Wi-Fi at your hotel and hotspots available at library, restaurants and pubs.

Use the internet connexion hotspots only when necessary and for a short time in public places, so you prevent hackers or crackers will not see your photos, contacts and private conversations on your mobile, and always disconnect the Wi-Fi public after use.

Recommended use with Intelligent Data Teams:

BlackBerry devices with version 10.0 operating system , iPhone and Android devices NOT compress data , so they may cause unexpected consumption on your bill . Devices with BlackBerry operating system to version 7.1 if you compress the data .There are apps that constantly generate data consumption as Twitter , Facebook, Messenger , Skype, applications and Weather Forecast Maps etc. . , As always keep the connection open and some are updated even when running in the background . Sign only when you will use and remember to close the session if you will be unavailable for a while.
   
    
There are applications that offer free content storage for your photos , music , videos and documents in general , such as Dropbox , iCloud, Google Drive, among others , which can generate consumption data to be used if you do not have a WiFi connection. We recommend you take precautions when deciding to use : Data benefit from free WiFi zones and make sure the connection is really this way , check the user manual of your computer/mobile.
   
    
If you have an Android device we recommend see " Google Play Store" different applications available through which you can control and monitor your data consumption , such as: "Traffic Monitor" and " Monitor Data Traffic " .


ARE YOU USING ROAMING?: prevents unexpected data consumption on your invoice:

     CONNECTED IN MOBILE DATA or DATA only when you require.


     NETWORKS BY USING Wi-Fi: make sure you have an effective connection, since all consumption outside of these networks is charged.
Make sure that when you go to use Free Wi-Fi, first switched off your mobile data.


     Before traveling can DISABLE MOBILE DATA or DATA on the menu of your mobile device by following these steps:

         Android: Settings / More Settings / Mobile Networks / data connection Disable / Uncheck Data Roaming.

         iPhone: Settings / General / Network Before driving off "Data Roaming" option

         BlackBerry operating system to version 7.1: Manage Connections / Mobile Network Options / Before driving off "Data Roaming" option
 

         BlackBerry operating systems version 10.0: Settings / Network Connections / Mobile Network. Before driving off "Data Roaming Services" option 

How can I avoid a large mobile phone bill when I travel overseas?




How can I avoid a large mobile phone bill when I travel overseas?

Updated 28/02/2014 11.21 AM

There are many ways to minimise the University costs caused by international mobile phone charges. The easiest way to avoid large international mobile phone bills is to limit the use of your mobile phone, but we understand this is not always practical or convenient. To minimise costs, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) recommends the following tips and tricks:
  1. Buy a prepaid SIM card when you arrive at your destination and use this instead of your Australian SIM card. If you use a prepaid SIM card you will have a local phone number and will be charged at the local call rate instead of the international roaming rate (which is often very expensive!). If you choose to do this, you will need to contact the ICT Helpdesk to ensure your mobile phone is unlocked before you leave Australia.
  2. If you prefer to keep your Australian number while you are overseas then you will be charged at the international roaming rates to make and receive calls and to access the Internet on your phone. To minimise call charges contact the ICT Helpdesk to obtain an Optus Calling Card. You will still be charged if you receive calls or if you access the Internet on your mobile phone, but the cards allow you to make phone calls at a cheaper rate.
  3. Disable data roaming on your mobile phone, regardless of whether you are using an Australian or international prepaid SIM card. International data roaming can be expensive, so ICT recommends that you access the Internet via wireless hotspots in your hotel or in public places, or if you are visiting a university that participates in eduroam, you can use your UniKey to access their wireless network. Please follow this guide to disabling iCloud on your Apple device, and this guide to turning off Data Roaming on your iPhone.
  4. If you prefer to continue to make and receive calls on your phone and access all the services you are used to overseas, take a look at the new Optus Business AutoRoam offer that is available for University staff at a significant discount.  With Optus AutoRoam, you can easily stay in touch in over 170 countries, while having call charges billed back to your Optus account in Australian dollars. For more information, visit What is Optus Business AutoRoam? or contact the ICT Helpdesk

Does it cost money to unlock an iPhone?

No, Optus does not charge the University to unlock an iPhone.

Can you monitor your cost as you go while you are travelling overseas?

No. The overseas network carrier will need to charge Optus at the end of your billing cycle, which is why there is often a delay before the international roaming charges are shown on your University mobile bill. See How much do International calls and data charges cost? for an idea on how much you will be charged whilst travelling overseas.

Mumsnet tells users to reset ALL passwords as site hacked following HEARTBLEED virus.

 express_logo

Mumsnet tells users to reset ALL passwords as site hacked following HEARTBLEED virus

PARENTING website Mumsnet has reset all its members' passwords after hackers used the Heartbleed virus to access personal data.

 Mumsnet has been hacked by the Heartbleed virus[MUMSNET/PA]
A post on the website said administrators "have no way of knowing which Mumsnetters were affected" by the security breach, so have decided to reset all users' passwords.

The website has almost five million unique visitors every month.

The Heartbleed bug came to the public's attention last week, and millions of people are were urged to change all their online passwords amid fears the bug enabled hackers access to the most secure internet sites – including those used for banking.

The Mumsnet website post said: "We know this has been an enormous pain in the rear end for some of you, and we’re really sorry about that.

"We are aware that some reset emails aren’t turning up quickly enough.

"We believe it’s a problem with some email providers, who are struggling with the amount of automated mail that is being generated by lots of big sites requiring users to change passwords at this time.

"We’ve now made the reset links in the mails last for longer (48 hours) so that they don’t expire before you’ve seen them."

The post continued: "The bug allowed access to the information submitted via the login page.

"So that includes your username or email plus your password.

"It is possible that this information could then have been used to log in as you and give access to your posting history, your personal messages and your personal profile, although we should say that we have seen no evidence of anyone’s account being used for anything other than to flag up the security breach, thus far."

Monday, April 14, 2014

77% of CFOs prepared to explore bigdata & advanced analytics. 42% rely on 7 day old data.

Accenture

The role of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) is shifting to that of technology evangelists—those who identify growth opportunities for the organization and oversee investment strategies to unlock new business value. 
Today’s modern finance function doesn’t resemble the classic, old finance function. Empowered by data insights and collaborative new ways of working, modern finance organizations are no longer content to focus on containing costs and keeping score.

Empowering Modern Finance: The CFO as Technology Evangelist Learn more about the CFO as Technology Evangelist.
Explore the research findings and how the finance function can become a business partner and value creator for the organization.

http://www.oracle-downloads.com/modernfinance/

This research report, commissioned by Accenture and Oracle in collaboration with Longitude Research, confirms that finance organizations across the board are making clear progress toward adopting the following four tenets to develop new capabilities and transform the role of finance:

•  Modern chief financial officers (CFOs) are technology evangelists recognizing the value of digital technologies and new cloud-delivery mechanisms for standardizing and integrating key processes, reducing cost of ownership, and improving finance productivity and decision making.

•  Delivering actionable data insights and value to the rest of the business.

•  Acting as a service-oriented, strategic partner to the business.

•  Enabling maximum operational productivity and efficiency.

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

RedSMS - SMS Text Marketing

SMS Text Marketing

The most cost effective way to reach your customers.

Send personalised text messages to your customers and prospects directly from
your computer

Whether you are sending thousands of personalised messages or just one, our powerful web based bulk SMS service makes it easy.
Want to schedule campaigns to go out at a specific time, no problem? See delivery reports, SMS replies and response phone calls from customers in real time, all from your own computer or tablet.
Bulk SMS from RedSMS

Did you know?

UK mobile users send and receive over 90 million SMS per day


Bulk SMS Prices from 2.2p

SMS is the most responsive and efficient media channel

  • Outstanding response rates - often into double digits!
  • 97% of all texts received are being read within 4 minutes
  • Messages from just 2.2p
  • Real-time delivery reporting
  • Instant access to your contacts from your computer
  • Free reply messages back to your account
  • Free customer support
  • Free credits when you sign up
Link:
http://www.redsms.co.uk/site/

Apocalypse: Microsoft has stopped to give Windows XP support.


Almost 14 years in service, today 8/4/2014, Microsoft has finally ended support for Microsoft Windows XP, but it is not the end of the world because Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, Safari 3 still run support to Windows XP for one year more.

The USA software company will end patching newly found security holes in Microsoft Windows XP code that hackers or crackers could exploit to slip into computers.

Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to finish "supporting" the nearly 14-year-old operating system, it still powers from 25 percent (1 out of 4) of Windows computers around the world, according to industry estimates.

For big institutions (Government, Non-government, Police departments, Fire department, Banks, legal offices and hotels and restaurants, etc)  with a lot of computers running XP the inertia has proved too much, and many - including the UK government - have caved, paying millions of sterling pounds to Microsoft to negotiate custom support deals. 
This does not mean that computers running the operating system stop to boot, but they will become drastically more susceptible to hackers or crackers, if the company’s stops issuing security updates and providing technical support.

Estimates vary but it’s thought that as many as a third of the world’s computers are still running the operating system and Microsoft themselves have said that infections for XP will rise 67 per cent after 8 April, 2014. The question is, if you’re still running Windows XP: What do you do?

In the long term you only have two new steps: buy a new computer or upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 or other Operating System. We will deal with these options in a minute, but if you are not ready to make a fast switch over then there is a couple of things you should do if you will still be on XP over the next couple of months.

First, make sure the software you have is as up to date as possible. That means grabbing any security fixes you may have missed from Microsoft’s website and making sure you have got some "best recommended" (non-Microsoft) antivirus software installed. (e.g. Bitdefender’s Total Security 2014, Bitdefender’s Antivirus Plus 2014, Symantec’s Norton 360 (2014), Kaspersky Internet Security 2014, Avast! Premier 2014, McAfee Antivirus Plus, Norton Antivirus, F-Secure Anti-virus)

You should also switch from Internet Explorer or Bing to a different browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome. Google will be supporting their browser on Windows XP computers until April 2015 while Mozilla haven’t announced an end-date to support for Firefox, but still give support. Of course, if you want to keep really safe then you would be best advised just to stay off the web altogether, though for many users this will not even be an option.

Other option is to switch from using an Administrator Account to a Limited Account for tasks like checking your email (where you might accidently download that pesky malware). This means that if a hacker or cracker does start riding along on your computer at least they will not have administrator-level access.

However, we have to say that these steps are just temporary measures and are not enough to protect you in the following months. One way or the other you need to upgrade to a better Operating System and maybe a better hardware o computer.

Whether you’re buying a new computer (think in this: Do I stick with a desktop PC? or switch to something more portable), or simply upgrade my operating system. You will have to choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8, or Ubuntu 12.10 or 13.04 or 13.10.

Related Links:

Windows XP support ends: Your guide to surviving the XPocalypse and upgrading to pastures new

  


[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News

- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (All day)
Features

[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News
- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (All day)
Features

[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News
- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (All day)
Features

[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News
- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (All day)
Features

[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News
- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (All day)
Features

[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News
- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (All day)
Features

[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News
- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (All day)
Features

[ESSENCE - (08-04-2014)]

Windows XP diehards to fend off hackers on their own
People clinging to Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system will be left to fend off cyber criminals by themselves come Tuesday.
On April 8 (today), the US software colossus will stop patching newly found security holes in Windows XP code that hackers could exploit to slip into computers.
Despite Microsoft's long-heralded plan to stop "supporting" the nearly 13-year-old operating system, it still powers from 20 to 30 percent of Windows machines around the world, according to industry estimates.
"I am sure you have everything from police departments to banks to legal offices to restaurants," Trustwave director Christopher Pogue said while discussing the extent to which Windows XP is still used.
"Think of a business and they probably run XP; I would say everyone is in equal danger."
US-based Trustwave specializes in helping businesses fight cyber crime. Microsoft support entails regular security updates, but when it stops issuing patches to defend against freshly revealed hacker tactics aimed at XP, those using the operating system will need to enlist their own software wizards or live with mounting threats.
- Panic -
Hackers might already know of new ways to break into XP-powered computers but be waiting until after Tuesday to attack because Microsoft will no longer step in to thwart them, security experts say.
"You are talking literally millions of computers systems that will cease to receive regular security updates," Pogue said.
"That is obviously causing a panic because of new vulnerabilities that will be introduced."
Microsoft has released several generations of Windows since XP made its debut in 2001.
The most recent version is Windows 8, tailored for a world enamored of touch-screen computers and services hosted in the Internet "cloud."
Given the rapid evolution of computer hardware and the short lifespans of devices, newer computers bought by consumers are likely running newer versions of Windows.
Of concern, though, are small businesses that stuck with XP because they have grown accustomed to it and it gets the job done.
Sectors thought to be more prone to holding on to XP include those with relatively unsophisticated computing needs along with emerging markets or schools where money is tight.
Particular worry is being expressed for automated teller machines, many of which are reported to rely on Windows XP.
ATMs could become vulnerable to hacking, particularly independent machines in small shops or bars that aren't owned by banks which are more likely to invest in software security, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
- Risky attitude -
"In a lot of cases, it is that Windows XP is good enough and people didn't see the business value to spending money to upgrade," Silver said of businesses hanging on to XP as new versions of Windows came and went.
"It is a risky attitude, given what issues they could have. These folks knew this was coming, too."
The pain of "migrating" to new operating systems includes making sure software programs depended on by businesses will continue to work. Computers running Windows XP cannot easily be upgraded to the newest Windows version, and that means the users would need to buy new machines.
While Microsoft stands to benefit through sales of new devices using Windows 8, organizations resigned to the aggravation of system changes could be open to considering what rivals such as Apple or Google have to offer.
"The risk for Microsoft is that people will migrate to somewhere else," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley.
"They should have never allowed it to get this bad."
The global estimate of the number of XP-powered computers may likely be skewed by the China market, where there is widespread use of pirated versions of the Microsoft software, according to a post by computer protection analyst Graham Cluley at WeLiveSecurity.com. Given that Windows software powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers, even a small percentage of machines running XP in any country could translate to high numbers.
Computers running XP will make the Internet a more dangerous place for everyone since hackers can launch cyber attacks from infected machines or valuable information about customers from businesses, Cluley argued. The good news, according to analysts, is that the latest version of Windows is far more capable and secure.
Yahoo News
- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/essence-08-04-2014#sthash.LeaGAkSV.dpuf