Stan Beer
Sunday, 02 July 2006 12:19
Your IT -
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Windows 98 and Millenium Edition users will no longer be supported by Microsoft from July 11, leaving an estimated 70 million users exposed to hackers. In addition, security vendors are following Microsoft's lead and phasing out support for the ageing Windows versions, leaving users open to new virus attacks, according to a report in the Washington Post.
It would be tempting to lambast Microsoft for this action because,
after all, 70 million plus users still represents a significant
proportion of its cutomer base - according to the Washington Post
report around 13%. However, as a former Windows 98 (and ME) user, it would be
hard to argue with the logic that support for the ageing platforms
cannot continue into perpetuity. In fact, even in their heyday both
Windows 98 and ME were widely criticised for their instability,
bugginess and lax security. For many of us, who had to endure almost
daily system crashes for no apparent reason, the arrival of Windows
2000 could not have come a minute too soon.
What is surprising is not that Microsoft has announced the withdrawal
of support but that it has continued support for both products for as
long as it has. Also surprising is the number of Windows 98 and ME
users that still persevere with the platforms. While their frugality is
admirable, perhaps even necessary due to economic circumstances, there
have already been two major upgrades since they installed their
products and a third upgrade is around the corner. Understandably,
Microsoft and other security vendors would rather focus their time on
patching newer versions of Windows than on an operating system that should
have been retired long ago.
Analysts have already said that Windows 98 and ME are becoming risky
propositions to run because of the dwindling support for them in the
security space. Microsoft is under pressure to boost growth in its
stagnating operating system sales and there are at least 70 million
users out there who are long overdue for an upgrade.