Microsoft has stopped its support of the Windows XP operating system worldwide.

Windows XP still runs on approximately a quarter of a million PCs in New Zealand and Microsoft is urging the remaining New Zealand consumers still running the 12-year old software to upgrade their system immediately to avoid increased exposure to cyber-attacks.

According to Frazer Scott, Director of Marketing & Operations at Microsoft New Zealand, those customers still running Windows XP need to act now.

“While PCs running Windows XP will continue to work, no more security updates or technical support means that consumers and companies still running XP are now vulnerable to harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software which can steal or damage valuable information.”

Scott says for customers who are unsure of what version of Windows they are using, Microsoft has developed a website amirunningxp.com that can automatically tell if a PC runs Windows XP or a newer version of Windows like Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. If the site detects Windows XP, it provides guidance on how to upgrade.

Microsoft has also developed a free data migration tool which helps people to copy files, music, videos, email and user profiles and settings from an old PC to a new device, allowing Windows XP users to easily customize exactly what they want to bring over to a new device.

“The adverse consequences of malware infections can range from the annoying, to potentially catastrophic, so those still running the old operating system really need to act immediately,” says Scott.

Source: Geekzone

Read th full article: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=15759