Update for old Windows(XP)......BBC News item.

[ev]

Just spotted this....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-48295227


ev

Added -

People and organisations using Windows 8 or 10 were not at risk, Microsoft said

[Tasman1]

Whether we like or not, it is a throw away world. Those intent on doing harm for fun or money, will continue to exploit all 'Holes' in old software. Updating to the newest system, while fraught with certain problems, expense and getting your head round to something new, is the only way ahead. AND then that will bring out its newest hackers. We will never be completely ahead of the latest exploits.
Most of us want email access, certain websites, Excel, Word etc, but some of the Microsoft "improvements"are not for we mere mortals. Personally, Windows 7 was the best, so leave us there but provide all the updates/patches to keep us safe and leave the rest alone for the big guys. Your ancient servant

[greenrig]

I find it truly staggering that Microsoft cannot properly write and test software.  Windows/XP was released to the public in 2001. And they are STILL finding bugs.  and they CHARGED us for this software, and they CHARGED us again for payable support, and still there are flaws, 18 years later.  Can anyone name another company that gets away with such lax behaviour and poor customer support?

[Tasman1]

I agree, but what was then  thought to be fail-safe, has now been exploited. There are always more ways to skin a cat- but by the same token, there are now more trying to keep us safe and more rising to the occasion of beating anything that is meant to be fool proof. Solution -- Stop using your computer!!

[andrewalston]

I find it truly staggering that Microsoft cannot properly write and test software.  Windows/XP was released to the public in 2001. And they are STILL finding bugs.  and they CHARGED us for this software, and they CHARGED us again for payable support, and still there are flaws, 18 years later.  Can anyone name another company that gets away with such lax behaviour and poor customer support?

Well, yes, any car manufacturer. If you spent thousands of pounds on a shiny new car in 2001, would you expect it to be as shiny and efficient now?

With a car, you have constant running costs, and have to fork out a couple of times a year for servicing. Even with modest mileage that is going to cost you a couple of grand a year.

Microsoft provided the equivalent for thirteen years, for free.

You are complaining about the equivalent of someone finding that the 2001 car can be disabled simply by undoing a few nuts with a spanner and making the wheels fall off, a fault which has been present since the car was designed.

[HarryW]

It's a fact of life that software has bugs.   At one time when Microsoft were getting loads of complaints in the press and seemed to be releasing patches almost weekly, the "perceived wisdom" was to buy Apple as they didn't have these sorts of problems.   I've lost count of the number of patches that Apple has released in recent years - sometimes two patches in one week!

Software is becoming ever more complex with masses of functionality.   There are plenty of organisations who are happy to research, discover and exploit any weaknesses.

[andrewalston]

There are plenty of organisations who are happy to research, discover and exploit any weaknesses.

Most big software suppliers pay a bounty for each exploitable bug found. There are some people who make a legitimate living from probing the likes of Microsoft, Apple and Facebook.