Kaspersky Lab would like to assure its customers that although Microsoft will end support for the Windows XP SP3 operating system in April 2014, our company’s security solutions will continue to protect these systems beyond the Microsoft cut-off date, in accordance with Kaspersky Lab’s scheduled product life-cycles.
The list of products that will maintain compatibility with Windows XP include Kaspersky Lab’s corporate security solution - Kaspersky Endpoint Security 10 for Windows - as well as current and future versions of its consumer protection solutions, such as Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2013.
According to Kaspersky Lab’s scheduled product lifecycles, the following solutions will maintain Windows XP support until at least these indicated dates:
Kaspersky Endpoint Security 10 for Windows – supported until Q2 2016
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 – supported until Q2 2016
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2014 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2014 – supported until 2017
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2015 and Kaspersky Internet Security 2015 – supported until 2018
During this period of extended support, Kaspersky Lab products installed on Windows XP machines will continue to receive the latest malware signature updates. Please be advised that support will be extended only for Windows XP with Service Pack 3 installed.
Kaspersky Lab invests substantial resources to ensure that its products work properly on different types and versions of operating systems. Although the Windows XP operating system was released more than 10 years ago and three newer Windows operating systems have subsequently been released, Kaspersky Lab realizes that many businesses and individual PC users still prefer this system. This extension of our support should provide ample time for these customers to migrate to a modern operating system.
SCCyberworld
Friday, April 11, 2014
Kaspersky Lab to Extend Support for Microsoft Windows XP in Corporate and Consumer Products
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Microsoft, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and Intel Makes Business Easier For SMEs with ‘Good Bye XP, Good Buy Windows 8’ Program
SMEs to save up to RM600 for each brand new Windows 8.1 device from 1 April – 30 June 2014 under this exclusive trade-in program
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April, 2014 – Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) mulling over whether to make the technology investments needed to modernize the business have just had that decision made easier for them: Microsoft Malaysia and Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), Malaysia’s leading telecommunication service provider, along with partner Intel Malaysia today announced the launch of ‘Good Bye XP, Good Buy Windows 8’ trade-in program, aimed at making business easier for SMEs with the latest in technology.
From 1 April until 30 June 2014, any SME business owner who is a Telekom Malaysia customer can bring along their latest TM bill, be it UniFi, Streamyx or any other TM service, to visit any of TM’s ongoing TM SME BizFiesta and TM SME BizFest roadshows nationwide, to trade in their old notebook or desktop and purchase a brand new Windows 8.1 device powered by Intel Processors from the appointed resellers at a special promotional price. The participating brands are Acer, Dell, HP and Lenovo. SMEs that take up the offer stand to save up to RM600 per device under this program.
-Acer Sales and Services Sdn Bhd - Meor Munawir Meor Yussuf, Business Development Director.
-Dell - KT Ong, General Sales Manager.
-Intel Malaysia - Norhizam Kadir, National Sales Manager.
-Microsoft Malaysia - Azizah Ali, Director, Small and Medium Solutions and Partners.
-Telekom Malaysia - Azizi A. Hadi, Executive Vice President, SME.
-Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd - Lee Kum Weng, Market Development Manager (Lead), Commercial Desktop & Display, Printing and Personal Systems Group.
-Lenovo Technology Sdn Bhd - Sean Chua, Sales Manager, REL Business.
Azizi A. Hadi, Executive Vice President, SME, TM said, “TM shares the same vision with Microsoft and Intel in our continuous efforts to provide the best tools and solutions that SMEs can rely on to increase their business productivity and efficiency level. SMEs’ ICT needs and requirements differ throughout the whole spectrum of business sizes. This is exactly where TM excels – providing a depth of diverse, customized, and affordable services. More importantly, business is made easier with TM’s ICT solutions for SMEs. When we think of new products and services to help SMEs differentiate themselves locally and internationally, we don’t only think about putting our customers at the forefront of technology. We also want to ensure that no one is left behind on outdated, unsupported devices and services. With the end of support of the legacy Windows XP and Office 2003 now upon us, there is no better time for SMEs to modernize their business.”
“With the launch of the Good Bye XP, Good Buy Windows 8 trade-in program today, we invite SMEs to visit any of our TM SME BizFest and TM SME BizFiesta roadshows this month until end of June, to enjoy a wide range of Windows 8.1 latest devices on offer, at very attractive prices. With Microsoft and Intel, we are truly making business easier for SMEs!”, Azizi added.
The trade-in program will bring the best of devices, powered by Intel Processors, to SMEs, running on the latest Windows 8.1 operating system, and equipped with the cloud-powered Office 365 Pro Plus productivity suite. With the range of devices available, business owners have options available to them to meet their different needs and requirements.
According to Azizah Ali, Director, Small and Medium Solutions and Partners, Microsoft Malaysia, “For more than 20 years in Malaysia, Microsoft has worked closely with our partners to help Malaysian businesses transform through technology, so they can focus squarely on what matters most: building the business. Our partnership with TM has yielded many great initiatives, such as the ‘Office in a Box’ and ‘UniFi with Office 365’ programs, and today, we are delighted to continue in the same vein with our longstanding partners, TM and Intel. At the end of the day, SMEs can be confident of the technology expertise and resources that we and our partners possess to take care of their IT needs, so that they can concentrate on the success and growth of their business.”
“As we set forward to achieving targets set by the Malaysian Government in the SME Masterplan 2012-2020, it is imperative that Malaysian SMEs take decisive steps towards improving the productivity and agility of their business with the right IT technology in place,” said Prakash Mallya, Country Manager Sales and Marketing of Intel Malaysia and Singapore. “Like our partners TM and Microsoft, Intel believes that ICT is one of the key enablers for Malaysian SMEs to achieve success and we are more than well placed to equip Malaysian SMEs with the latest enterprise IT solutions in order to raise the contribution of Malaysian SMEs to the economy by 2020.”
“In recent time, there have been many exciting developments in computing technology including the introduction of our 4th Generation Intel Core Processor Family. With processors running the range from Xeon to vPro, and Core to Atom, Intel offers a comprehensive range of enterprise solutions featuring the best combination of performance, capabilities and cost effectiveness,” added Prakash.
Timely Opportunity For SMEs To Get To Modern: Door Closes On Support For Windows XP
With the retirement of Windows XP and Office 2003 on 8 April 2014, the need for businesses and consumers to upgrade to newer versions of Windows and Microsoft Office has never been greater.
Microsoft announced a year ago that they will end support, including automatic security patches, for its 12-year-old Windows XP operating system. As a result, customers will no longer receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates. This means that any new vulnerabilities discovered in Windows XP after its “end of life” will not be addressed by new security updates from Microsoft, leaving users vulnerable to malware attacks and countless security risks.
These companies are also at risk of compromising their ability to be more productive and collaborative, as the lack of technical support results in costly productivity loss for businesses in the event of computer downtime or software compatibility issues.
Industry associations in Malaysia are in unison over the urgent need to upgrade to newer version of the Windows OS and Office productivity suite. Seow Thong Seng, ICT Chairman of Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), said, “Windows XP has been a dependable piece of computer software popular with many SMEs in Malaysia because it was stable, fast, powerful and relatively simple to use. Now with the end of support for Windows XP, it is critical that SME owners come to understand the significance of this event. The end of support will mark the start of what could be an IT nightmare for businesses as they are exposed to IT security risks and compliance issues if they continue to use Windows XP after 8 April 2014. The message to our members is clear - step up and migrate to Windows 8.1 and Office 365 to avoid being exposed to the security and privacy risks, and to take advantage of what newer and more modern technology has to offer."
Teh Kee Sin, National President of SMI Association of Malaysia echoed MPMA's sentiments, saying, “There will be questions of financial and time investment to execute the whole process, but the benefits of being secure and protected far outweigh the unacceptable risks of being left vulnerable to security and privacy threats. Businesses need to think about the significant advantages that a more modern operating system entails. Realistically, the investment can be quickly recouped as they see improvements to their IT ecosystem – improved security features, better business efficiency and higher user productivity. It’s high time to get the migration process started now.”
“The modern workforce requires the tools to allow them to stay productive anytime, anywhere, while businesses have an ever increasing need to protect data and ensure security, compliance and manageability. Windows 8.1 and Office 365 are designed with these needs in mind. These are the real needs that a 12-year-old OS can no longer address. Good Bye XP, Good Buy Windows 8 is a timely initiative to help business owners make the much needed migration to stay at the forefront of technology, and at the same time avoid the security pitfalls of outdated and unsupported software,” Azizah concluded.
For more info on TM SME BizFest, please visit: www.tm.com.my/smebizfest2014
or contact 1800-888-763. To find out more about or to buy Windows 8.1 or Office 365, please visit: www.windows.com, and www.office.com.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Will Windows XP Be The New Playground For Cybercriminals After April 8, 2014?
On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will stop support for Windows XP even while its market share is still high (29.53% in February 2014 according to Net Applications). What will be the security impact of this decision? In practical terms, computers that are still running Windows XP after this date will no longer receive updates including those to address security vulnerabilities of the operating system. Whether you are an individual or a company, is it certain that you will become the favourite target for cybercriminals from April 8, 2014? It’s not so clear…
Whether small, medium or large enterprise, from banking to industrial to service sectors, April 8, 2014 could impact a wide range of organizations in Malaysia as the end of Windows XP support is more than just a matter of migrating to a new operating system. Other considerations such as cost or disruption of services related to that migration are critical factors that also need to be taken into account when deciding to upgrade.
Take the example of the banking sector. About 95% of automatic teller machines (ATMs) around the world rely on computers running Windows XP. Besides the disruption of services to perform this migration, these computers are not normally able to support a newer version of Windows. In this case, a migration is not possible without first upgrading the computer, incurring significant cost and downtime for these companies. The same goes for SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) environments. These industrial systems feature business specific application which have been developed for Windows XP and will require significant development and cost to migrate to another operating system.
In light of the potential difficulties what options are available to these companies? One possible option is to do nothing. Will they be more vulnerable? Not necessarily! Depending upon the company, it could be that they do not make patches available for the OS in order to avoid disruption of their services. For these organizations, a disruption of services is not limited to just the migration to a new OS but also includes any update of any operating system. These companies will be no more vulnerable than they already are today. Conversely, companies who have systematically updated their operating systems will become more vulnerable after April 8 if they choose not to upgrade their systems.
As for the ATMs themselves, rest assured that these machines are not directly connected to the Internet. The only way for a cybercriminal to target them is to attack the machine itself (eg: introducing a Trojan through a USB key connected to the machine) - A very unlikely operation and a very risky one for cybercriminals.
Understand that the key to staying on Windows XP is not being connected to the Internet. If that’s not possible, it’s highly recommended that you migrate to another operating system because it is certain that there will be an upsurge of attacks targeting XP vulnerabilities to extract sensitive information (competitive information, credit card numbers …) from these systems.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Cost of Cyber-Security Breaches Highest in Asia Pacific
• New study finds malware infections in computers due to pirated software.
• Businesses and consumers in Malaysia still on Windows XP are at risk to security threats including viruses, spyware and malware
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 2014 — Enterprises in Asia Pacific (APAC) are expected to spend nearly USD$230 billion1 in 2014 to deal with issues caused by malware deliberately loaded onto pirated software — USD$59 billion dealing with security issues and USD$170 billion dealing with data breaches — according to a new joint study conducted by IDC and the National University of Singapore (NUS). APAC consumers, on the other hand, are expected to spend USD$11 billion this year because of security threats and costly computer fixes stemming from malware on pirated software.
The study, titled “The Link Between Pirated Software and Cybersecurity Breaches,” also reveals that 65 percent of APAC consumers surveyed say their greatest fear from infected software is the loss of data, files or personal information, followed by unauthorized Internet transactions (48 percent) and potential identity theft (47 percent). However, 41 percent of those same respondents do not install security updates, leaving their computers open to attack by cybercriminals.
“The effect of cybercrime is financially devastating for consumers, companies, and governments alike” said Jeff Bullwinkel, Associate General Counsel and Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Asia Pacific and Japan. “Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to break into computer networks to take your money, steal your identity, and passwords for financial gain. The Microsoft Cybercrime Center is committed to putting an end to these acts to keep personal and financial data safe and secure.”
“The “Play It Safe” campaign seeks to educate businesses and consumers to be more aware of the risks associated with pirated software and to take proactive steps to ensure that their PCs and devices come with genuine software,” said Amrita Sapre, Windows Business Group Lead for Microsoft Malaysia. Amrita further explained that the risks associated with pirated software can be devastating if left unchecked. “One of the hidden costs of using pirated software is the likelihood of encountering nasty, unwanted code, either in the software itself, via code that can get downloaded or installed along with it, or on PCs with pirated software installed on them. Much of this malware is created by criminal organizations with illegal financial gain, data theft, espionage, or other mayhem in mind.”
Amrita also explained that with Windows XP support now ending soon, Malaysians should consider taking pre-emptive measures to ensure that these risks are avoided. “With Windows XP end of support now just days away, we encourage both businesses and consumers to migrate to a more current and safer platform, like Windows 8. While we understand that Windows XP was one of the most popular operating systems in Microsoft’s history, it was not designed to handle the challenges of today, such as the increased exposure to cyber-attacks and demands for more data privacy. In fact, Microsoft’s latest Security Intelligence Report (Vol. 15) found Windows XP SP3 to be 5.68 times more vulnerable than Windows 8 RTM, along with a staggering 82.4% higher malware infection rate. The simple fact is, the odds of one getting compromised and losing valuable personal information on a Windows XP machine is far higher than on a modern, Windows 8 devices.”
Dr. Amirudin Abdul Wahad, CEO of Cybersecurity Malaysia has also previously commented, “Whether you’re an SMB or consumer in Malaysia, the dangers of continued use of XP are real and the risks should not be under-estimated. Windows XP is three generations behind Microsoft’s most modern operating system so continuing to use PCs with XP is similar to driving a car without a seat belt or a motorbike without a helmet. The risks are real and the only way to protect yourself and the organization is to upgrade.”
Additional highlights from the survey include the following:
• The world’s highest enterprise losses will come from APAC (USD$138 billion) and will be at the hands of organized criminals.
• In Asia Pacific 32 percent of the pirated software in enterprises is installed by employees.
• 29 percent of APAC enterprise respondents reported security breaches causing network, computer or website outages occurring every few months or more; 66 percent of those outages involved malware on end-user computers.
• Infection rates are higher in emerging markets, where more consumers and enterprises acquire software and PCs from suspect sources – small specialty shops, street markets, consultants etc. China and Thailand had the highest rate of PC infections and of infections of software bundled with PCs.
• Only 40 percent of all PCs are used in Asia Pacific but IDC estimates that the region will account for 47 percent of the world’s pirated software in 2014.
• Despite lower labour costs to deal with pirated software in Asia Pacific, the region’s higher rate of infection and higher number of pirated software units are responsible for extensive recovery costs.
“Using pirated software is like walking through a field of landmines: You don’t know when you’ll come upon something nasty, but if you do it can be very destructive,” said John Gantz, chief researcher at IDC. “The financial hazards are considerable, and the potential losses could leave once-profitable businesses on shaky ground. Buying legitimate software is less expensive in the long run — at least you know that you won’t get anything ‘extra’ in the form of malware.”
The NUS forensics analysis of 203 new PCs loaded with pirated software found that a staggering 61 percent of the PCs were pre-infected with unsafe malware, including Trojans, worms, viruses, hacktools, rootkits and adware. These PCs, purchased through resellers and PC shops in 11 markets, included more than 100 discrete threats.
“It is hugely concerning that brand new PCs are coming pre-infected with dangerous malware due to pirated software, making the users and companies readily vulnerable to security breaches,” said Associate Professor Biplab Sikdar, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore. “The university’s forensic tests clearly indicate how cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging the unsecure supply chain of piracy to spread malware and compromise PC security in a serious way. We would only recommend usage of genuine software for online safety and cybersecurity.”
A recent forensic study further supports NUS’ analysis by citing that 1 in 2 PCs running counterfeit software in Malaysia was infected with malware – including highly dangerous “Zeus” Trojan – across well-known PC brands.
“Many people assume that buying a name-brand PC is all that’s required to guarantee a good and safe computing experience. They don’t think twice about the software sold with the computer, and whether or not it’s pirated,” added Amrita. “But consumers and businesses need to beware: while they might think there are great deals to be had by looking the other way, the hidden cost of pirated software is significant, and contrary to popular belief, can’t be remedied by simply running anti-virus software. If a consumer can’t verify that the computer they purchased was installed with a genuine copy of Windows, their risk of exposure to viruses and spyware—and the potential for data corruption, theft and financial loss—increases exponentially.”
The global study surveyed 1,700 (807 APAC) consumers, IT workers, chief information officers, and government officials in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and analyzed 203 computers acquired in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States. This year’s research is an extension of IDC’s 2013 study, “The Dangerous World of Counterfeit and Pirated Software,” differentiated by the attitude of government officials as well as the analysis of new markets, making the economic connection to cybercrime.
Avoid the hidden cost of software piracy
Microsoft also advises consumers and businesses to take the following steps to avoid the inadvertent purchase of pirated software:
• When purchasing a new PC, always insist on installing a genuine copy of the operating system.
• Buy from a trusted or authorized reseller and avoid deals that seem “too good to be true.”
• Ensure all software purchases come in their original packaging.
• When buying a PC with Windows, look for the genuine label and Certificate of Authenticity that Microsoft requires be affixed to all PCs on which Windows is pre-installed. As a further check after purchase, log on to www.howtotell.com to confirm the label is authentic.
Whether an individual user, a small business, enterprise or even a government institution, all are encouraged to buy new computers from reputable sources to ensure they receive genuine software. Microsoft is committed to protecting its unsuspecting consumers from downloading or purchasing nongenuine software that exposes victims to malware that can lead to identity theft, loss of data and system failures. Customers are encouraged to visit http://www.microsoft.com/security to learn more about malware and ensure their machines are not infected; if malware is present, the site offers tools to remove the infection.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Mitigating Security Threats on Point of Sale Systems in Malaysia
By Nigel Tan (陈善龙).
Director, Systems Engineering, Malaysia
One of the earliest forms of cybercrime is credit and debit card data theft and this continues to persist today. Cybercrime gangs organise sophisticated operations to steal vast amounts of data before selling it in underground marketplaces. Criminals can use the data stolen from a card’s magnetic strip to create clones and it’s a potentially lucrative business with individual cards selling for up to US$100.
“There are several routes attackers can take to steal this data. One option is to gain access to a database where card data is stored. But another option is to target the point at which a retailer first acquires that card data – the point of sale (POS) system,” said Nigel Tan, Director of Systems Engineering, Symantec Malaysia.
He explained that while many POS transactions are in the form of cash, many of these payments are made by customers swiping their cards through a card reader. These card readers may be standalone devices but modern POS systems, particularly those in larger retailers, are all-in-one systems which can handle a variety of customer transactions such as sales, returns, gift cards and promotions. Most importantly from a security standpoint, they can handle multiple payment types.
Given the sensitive financial and sometimes, personal data to which modern POS systems have access, it is an obvious but not always well recognised fact that the security of these systems is of utmost importance.
Security issues in POS systems
Modern POS systems are specially configured computers with sales software installed and equipped with a card reader. Using a process known as “skimming”, card data can be stolen by installing a device onto the card reader which can read the data off the card’s magnetic strip. As this requires additional hardware and physical access to the card reader, it is difficult to carry out this type of theft on a large scale.
This led to the development of malware which can copy the card data as soon as it’s read by the card reader. The first of such attacks were seen in 2005 with a series of campaigns orchestrated by Albert Gonzalez, a hacker who stole over 170 million card numbers. Since then, an industry has developed around attacking POS systems, with tools readily available on the underground marketplace.
“Despite improvements in card security technologies and the requirements of the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS), there are still gaps in the security of POS systems. This coupled with more general security weaknesses in corporate IT infrastructure means that retailers find themselves exposed to increasingly resourceful and organised cybercriminal gangs,” said Tan.
Card data theft is likely to continue in the near term. Stolen card data has a limited shelf-life. Credit card companies are quick to spot anomalous spending patterns, as are observant card owners. This means that criminals need a steady supply of “fresh” card numbers.
The good news is that retailers will learn lessons from attacks and take steps to prevent the re-occurrence of this type of attack. Payment technology will also change. Many US retailers are now expediting the transition to Europay, Mastercard and VISA (EMV) standards, or “chip and pin” payment technologies. Chip and Pin cards are much more difficult to clone, making them less attractive to attackers. And of course new payment models may take over. Smartphones may become the new credit cards as mobile, or NFC, payment technology becomes more widely adopted.
“There’s no doubt that cybercriminals will respond to these changes. But as retailers adopt newer technologies and security companies continue to monitor the attackers, large-scale POS thefts will become more difficult and certainly less profitable,” said Tan.
Risks with End of Support for Windows XP
The majority of POS systems run the older Windows XP version of Windows Embedded. This older version is more susceptible to vulnerabilities and therefore more open to attack. In addition, Microsoft will end technical assistance for Windows XP operating system on 8 April 2014, including automatic updates and regularly issued security patches. Systems that continue to use Windows XP after the deadline will face increased security risks, particularly if new vulnerabilities are discovered in the operating system. Consequently, these systems are susceptible to a wide variety of attack scenarios which could lead to large scale data breaches. Organisations with systems running on Windows XP Embedded (XPE) face a similar situation, but more time to transition, as Microsoft will end support for XPE in January 2016.
As many POS systems are running a version of Windows, they are also capable of running any malware that runs on Windows. Thus, attackers do not need specialised skills in order to target POS systems and malware that were not specifically designed for use on POS systems could be easily repurposed for use against them.
Layered Protection
“There are many steps that POS operators can take to reduce the risk from attacks against POS systems but above all, the overarching reminder is to implement layered security on the POS systems and throughout the network,” advised Tan.
A properly configured endpoint protection product can block even the most determined attacker, and this is especially true when it comes to a POS system. POS systems actually have a security advantage over a PC as a single function device. Because no one on that device is web browsing, emailing or opening shared drives, the functionally of the machine and the files needed on that machine are limited.
Symantec Endpoint Protection built on multiple layers of protection, including Symantec Insight and SONAR, is designed to protect against new and unknown threats. It also offers tools to reduce the attack surface by limiting the specific applications running on the machine, as well as controls the devices and applications allowed to access the network. Limiting applications and network accessibility on the machines can render malware useless because it won't be allowed to run on the machines or the network. Symantec Critical System Protection also offers important server protections for physical and virtual data centers that allow enterprises to lock down applications, configuration settings and resources so that malicious code and vulnerabilities cannot be exploited.
In short, to implement the best protection for Windows-based POS systems, organisations need to have layered security as part of the IT architecture.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
30 Days Left Before Windows XP Ends On 8 April 2014
• Consumers and companies still on Windows XP at risk, missing out on what modern technology has to offer;
• Microsoft launches two free tools to help users migrate from Windows XP
KUALA LUMPUR, 7 March, 2014 – Microsoft Malaysia (“Microsoft”) today reminded consumers and companies that support for the Windows XP operating system (“OS”) and Office 2003 will end on 8 April 2014, just about 30 days away. To help users make the move, Microsoft also announced two new free tools to help migrate from Windows XP called “PCmover Express for Windows XP“ as well as a detection software to help users who are unsure find out what version of the operating system they may be using called “AmIrunningXP.com“.
Additionally, as part of its on-going awareness effort, on 8 March 2014 at 3:00 p.m. local time, customers using Windows XP (Home and Professional editions) will receive a notification via Windows Update informing them of the support deadline and encouraging them to visit Windows.com to find out more about what end of support means for them.
Millions of PCs in Malaysia Exposed To Risk
With support ending for Windows XP and Office 2003 in about 30 days, consumers and companies actively using these software versions will be left without security patches and customer support. Based on an estimation using data from StatCounter, a free public tracker, and IDC Worldwide PC Tracker, Windows XP makes up about 14.4% of PCs in Malaysia. Although this represents a decline by 6.68% over the last one year, this still means that there are 2,553,952 PCs on Windows XP.
This means that millions of businesses and individuals in Malaysia still using the 12-year-old operating system (OS) daily and 10-year-old productivity suite, risk falling prey to harmful viruses, spyware, increasingly sophisticated security threats and other malware, as well as compromising their ability to be more productive and collaborative as the lack of technical support results in costly productivity loss for businesses in the event of computer downtime or software compatibility issues.
”Windows XP and Office 2003 were widely used and have helped hundreds of millions of people to get productive for both work and play. But 12 years later, the way people use technology has evolved. Just like you cannot imagine yourself using a mobile phone which is 12 years old, Windows XP and Office 2003 are no longer adequate for the new, always-on world that we live in,” said Amrita Sapre, Windows Business Group Lead for Microsoft Malaysia.
“When Windows XP was launched in October 2001, notebooks were brick-like with short battery life, as well as very expensive. About 8% of the world was using the Internet in 2001 compared to 39% today . We had personal digital assistant (PDA) devices with no access to the internet while the devices we know and love today are touch enabled and almost always connected via social tools and apps. Yet, while internet access brings lots of goodness, it’s also a hotbed for cyber criminals who go where the people go. So it’s really critical that consumers who still own Windows XP devices recognise that it’s not just about upgrading to something new. This is about protecting your home devices from security threats, especially if you are using the internet. Windows XP wasn’t designed for today’s mobile, always-connected lives, or for protecting businesses and individuals from the millions of new online security threats that have emerged,” added Amrita.
“At the same time, it is great to see an accelerated decline of Windows XP users and an increase in the combined Windows 7 and 8 users over the last 12 months in Malaysia. We’ve been working closely with local organisations to raise awareness of the need to modernize, especially for SMEs,” she explained.
Many consumers may brush off these security threats, thinking that malicious software and hackers will never target them. In reality, however, the personal information that have been amassed and shared throughout the years are valuable payloads for hackers. In addition, Microsoft’s latest Security Intelligence Report (Vol. 15) found Windows XP SP3 to be 5.68 times more vulnerable than Windows 8 RTM, along with a staggering 82.4% higher malware infection rate. The math is simple: the odds of one getting compromised and losing valuable personal information on a Windows XP machine is far higher than on a modern, Windows 8 devices. Furthermore, the average cost of a severe security breach for SMEs is US$54,000 to US$100,000 .
Dr. Amirudin Abdul Wahad, CEO of Cybersecurity Malaysia has also previously commented, “Whether you’re an SMB or consumer in Malaysia, the dangers of continued use of XP are real and the risks should not be under-estimated. Windows XP is three generations behind Microsoft’s most modern operating system so continuing to use PCs with XP is similar to driving a car without a seat belt or a motorbike without a helmet. The risks are real and the only way to protect yourself and the organization is to upgrade.”
Making The Switch And Getting To Modern
Retiring a product is a normal part of the product lifecycle. While most Microsoft software is supported for 10 years, Windows XP has been supported for more than 12 years, longer than any other Windows version.
To minimize this risk, consumers must upgrade to newer operating systems that not only offer enhanced security features like built-in firewall, anti-virus, and rootkit malware protection. Microsoft’s partners like Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba have also continued to innovate will new form factors such as tablets and convertibles with a wide range of affordable choices to suit any lifestyle. Windows 8.1 is also well optimized for both touch and non-touch scenarios, where the user may prefer to a mouse and keyboard.
According to Amrita, “Cost should no longer be a barrier. The average cost of a PC today is 40% less than in 2002. Millions of consumers in Malaysia have already made the move to Windows 8.1 and are enjoying the benefits of a clean, fast and integrated user experience.”
In addition, together with Office 365, Windows 8.1 offers a faster, safer, more productive and more personal experience that supports both work and personal life - from multi-tasking on Word, PowerPoint, email, while watching videos and music to connecting with friends and families. Cutting-edge productivity features built into Windows 8.1also include seamless cloud connectivity to OneDrive for storing documents; and an app store that contains more than 140,000 apps, including built-in favorites such as Mail, Calendar, and Skype.
Companies still on Windows XP and Office 2003 are missing out on tangible benefits of modernizing their IT investments from dramatically enhanced security, broad device choice to meet the needs of a mobile workforce, higher user productivity, and lower total cost of ownership through improved management capabilities. Windows 8.1 and Office 365 have also been designed specifically for today’s work environment. These new technologies provide people with a consistent and personalized experience no matter which device they are using or where they are working, enabling them to collaborate with colleagues and get business done more efficiently.
“In this digital age, we identify with the idea of being technologically ready in our operations to ensure the best possible service to our customers. We are a young startup, full of energy and buzzing with ideas, and we are sure the new Windows 8 devices and Office 365 will help portray a tech-savvy image to our customers,” said Melissa Lee, Managing Director of PerkPool, a local startup focused on providing employee benefits to other SMEs through leveraging bulk orders and winner of Microsoft’s recent “Get To Modern” contest.
“I look forward to experiencing seamless, more integrated and accessible user experience that comes with Windows 8 and Office 365. In order to manage and drive our business, Microsoft is definitely lending a helping hand by providing their technology expertise and full support by assuring our IT needs are taken care of which allows us to focus on managing and driving our business well, all with the help of Microsoft’s technology solutions,” Mellissa concluded.
Millions of other SMEs and individuals in Malaysia have already made the switch and are enjoying the benefits of a modern operating system and an advanced office software suite. Upgrading is easy and affordable, even for businesses and individuals who consider themselves to be non-tech-savvy users. Whether it is through buying new PCs from the broad range of Windows 8.1 devices on offer or upgrading existing PCs, SMEs will find it effortless with the help of special offers, migration assistance, and other helpful tools found at http://www.microsoft.com/business/en-my.
Amrita added: “The modern workforce requires the tools to allow them to stay productive anytime, anywhere, while businesses have an ever increasing need to protect data and ensure security, compliance and manageability. Windows 8.1 and Office 365 are designed with these needs in mind. These are the real needs that a 12-year-old OS can no longer address.”
Two New Free Tools To Migrate From Windows XP
Microsoft today launched two new free tools to help users migrate from Windows XP:
• Free Windows XP migration tool: PCmover Express for Windows XP. Microsoft has partnered with Laplink to provide PCmover Express for Windows XP, which copies a user’s files and settings from a Windows XP PC to a new device running Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. PCmover Express will be available for download www.windowsxp.com; and
• Windows OS automatic detection website: AmIrunningXP.com. For customers unsure of what version of Windows they are using, Microsoft is launching AmIRunningXP.com, a site designed to automatically detect if a PC is running Windows XP or a newer version of Windows like Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. If Windows XP is detected, the site provides links to more information on Windows XP end of support and guidance on how to upgrade to a modern OS.
“Whether it’s you, your family and loved ones, or your business - don’t be exposed to risk an unprotected PC. Upgrade to a Windows 8.1 device and Office 365 today, which contains everything you already need and love, and more,” said Amrita.
To find out more about or to buy Windows 8.1, please visit: www.windows.com
To find out more about, to try, or to buy the New Office, please visit: www.office.com
