Are you ready for the “XP Apocalypse” on April 8?
That’s when Microsoft Corp. plans to stop issuing security updates for the aging but still popular XP version of its flagship Windows operating system, which by some estimates is still running on nearly 1 in 3 personal computers in homes and offices around the world, along with some bank ATMs and other commercial systems.
Security experts say those machines will become significantly more vulnerable to viruses, spyware and other malicious hacks once Microsoft withdraws its support. No one’s predicting a Mayan-style cataclysm, but if you’re still using XP, here are some things to consider.
Microsoft started selling XP back in 2001 — long before the much-maligned Vista and two subsequent versions known as Windows 7 and Windows 8. The company says it’s already overextended the natural life cycle of XP, while newer versions of Windows offer better security and performance, especially when it comes to newer Web services and touch-enabled programs.