Microsoft Advises Against Windows XP Hack
The aforementioned hack supposedly enables XP users to continue installing security updates, but Microsoft are recommending people to steer clear.
Despite the fact that Microsoft had announced their end of support for this operating system, technological people have started releasing converted security patches from later operating systems so that Windows XP users can reap the same benefits without having to upgrade.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t work efficiently in practice. This is because these patches weren’t originally made to work in accordance with this system. For that reason, the security patches may not function as advertised.
Microsoft released a statement to ZDNet on Monday, in which Microsoft explained:
“We recently became aware of a hack that purportedly aims to provide security updates to Windows XP customers. The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers. Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP. The best way for Windows XP customers to protect their systems is to upgrade to a more modern operating system, like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.”
Betanews describes that the hack actually directs security patches intended for Windows Embedded Industry and Windows Server 2003 to XP machines through a Registry change. Although, XP is not that similar to Windows Embedded or Server 2003.
Microsoft actually stopped support for Windows XP from early April meaning the software giant no longer offers security patches, bug fixes or any other type of update for the OS. This was originally done with the intention of discouraging the usage of this product but people have since continued to use it.
in fact, surprising as it may seem – this version of the desktop OS may still account for between 18 to 30 percent of all Windows PCs, according to Web analytics firms.
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