April 8, 2014, TODAY… this is D-Day for Microsoft end of Support for Windows XP and Office 2003.

If you still have Windows XP computers or Office 2003 products at home or in your office, you need to take action NOW to protect your data against the possible risks associated with end of support for these computers and software.

An article posted on the popular Tech site Gizmodo entitled “Are You or Is Someone You love Still Using Windows XP?” is using an image of the Grim Reaper to highlight the severity of not taking action.

Below is an excerpt from an article we published recently drawing attention to the risks of not replacing your old XP computers…

April 8, 2014, that’s the date on everyone’s minds and if it’s not and you are still using Windows XP computers and/or Office 2003, then it should be. That’s the date that Microsoft will cease to support Windows XP and Office 2003. Windows XP has been the operating system of choice for a number of years, however, it is coming to an end. For some time now, the end has been in sight (we’ve posted articles on our Facebook page over the past few months discussing this very topic)

What does this mean?

Well, it doesn’t mean that your computer is going to suddenly explode. You will however, have that feeling of being stranded on a deserted Island with only a soccer ball to keep you company and with no chance of being rescued.
As at April 8, 2014, Microsoft will release no further patches, fixes and security updates or provide any support for Windows XP. This operating system is nearly 12 years old. The technology is old and Microsoft have Windows 7 and 8 in the market that they will continue to support for a number of years.

Therefore, if you stay on Windows XP, you will be vulnerable to security threats such as viruses and malware etc. The experts are predicting that programmers are going to specifically target XP computers and release threats after the end of support date. There will be little to no way to stop these attacks.

Further, many third party suppliers such as MYOB and Leap Legal, to name but 2, will also no longer support users with XP computers, Windows Server 2003 and Office 2003. They will also, no longer issue program updates to help you run your programs on the old systems. Therefore, they will no longer guarantee the stability of your programs.

Read More?

If you would like to read the Gizmodo article  “Are You or Is Someone You love Still Using Windows XP?” Click here