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The End of Windows XP, and its Impact on Small Business

The End of Windows XP, and its Impact on Small Business. Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce March 19, 2014 By Matt Wilson – Brightstar Consulting mattwilson@brightstarconsulting.com www.brightstarconsulting.com Email for copy of slide deck. The End of the World as We Know It.

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The End of Windows XP, and its Impact on Small Business

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  1. The End of Windows XP, and its Impact on Small Business Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce March 19, 2014 By Matt Wilson – Brightstar Consulting mattwilson@brightstarconsulting.com www.brightstarconsulting.com Email for copy of slide deck

  2. The End of the World as We Know It • On April 8, 2014 the world as we know it will end • Or at least that’s the story that the press will likely start carrying in the next week or two • But, what is really going to happen on April 8, 2014?

  3. What is Really Going to Happen? • April 8, 2014 will mark the “End of Extended Support” for Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system and several other software products • Essentially that means that Microsoft will no longer produce software updates, especially security updates, for Windows XP, including related products such as Office 2013 and Internet Explorer 8 • Microsoft will no longer provide technical support for Windows XP, other than with previously published information and software

  4. Microsoft Product Lifecycle

  5. Microsoft End of Sales

  6. Why is This Such a Big Deal? • Windows XP, despite three successor operating systems (Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8) is still heavily relied upon by many businesses, especially small businesses, for day to day business • Some estimate that 30% or more of current computers are still running Windows XP • An unsupported operating system means newly discovered flaws or security vulnerabilities will *never* be addressed or repaired • Some are predicting massive new attacks targeted at Windows XP because “hackers” have been “saving” the exploits they’ve discovered until after Microsoft is no longer or patching it

  7. Why is This NOT Such a Big Deal? • Companies routinely discontinue support for older products or products lines • Ford no longer produces parts for the Model T • IBM no longer supports it’s Selectric line of typewriters • Apple no longer supports Snow Leopard • After April 8, 2014 Windows XP will still continue to function, and there will be various ways that you can get support for it • However, there is no way for that support to include new software updates • Nearly all of the things you can or should be doing to prepare for the end of XP are things that you should already be doing, regardless of the software you are using

  8. What Does All Of This Mean? • Will it be safe to continue using Windows XP? • Does your Windows XP computer have to be replaced immediately? • What are the realistic threats and risks if you keep using Windows XP? • What alternatives are there to Windows XP? Windows 8? Apple? Open Source?

  9. What Should a Small Business Do? • Don’t panic • That includes not rushing out and doing something immediately just to be rid of XP • Plan your migration away from Windows XP • Continue doing all routine IT planning and tasks • Maintenance • Patching and upgrading • Backup • Malware / security protection • PLANNING • Bear in mind, patching XP is not the first line of defense, nor should it be

  10. What Should a Small Business Do? • Be wary of anyone contacting you implying that they are from Microsoft and have detected that you have problems with your computer and offer to fix it • Do not believe anyone that claims that they have new software “patches” for Windows XP • They do not • It is impossible for anyone but Microsoft to produce a true patch for any version of Windows

  11. HIPAA / SOX • Are there special considerations for industries that fall under regulatory systems such as HIPAA or Sarbanes-Oxley? • A standard expectation in HIPAA is that software is current and maintained with current patches • Since there will be no further patches for XP, the assumption is that XP will no longer be XP compliant • Follow your existing HIPAA audits and plans, and update if necessary to account for XP and your plans for it

  12. What Should I Do to Continue Using Windows XP? • Free Options / Options You Can Implement Yourself • Don’t run Windows (especially Windows XP) in admin mode • The account you do daily tasks in should be a “standard user account”, with a separate “administrator” account for administrative tasks • For 2013, 92% of the attacks out there could have been avoided by running as a standard user • For 2013, 100% of the Internet Explorer attacks could have been avoided by running as a standard user • Install Windows XP’s final updates on April 8, 2014, and then manually check again on April 9th • Make sure Microsoft Office is fully patched as well, especially if you are running Office 2003 • Install an alternative browser or browsers on Windows XP computers • Don’t sole rely on Internet Explorer or use it as your default browser in Windows XP • Review installed software (a good idea for all computers) • Uninstall anything that’s not needed • Especially consider Java, Flash, Shockwave or “media” software • Consider disabling or uninstalling browser plugs-in, especially browser toolbars

  13. What Should I Do to Continue Using Windows XP? • Free Options / Options You Can Implement Yourself • Use up to date security/antivirus software • There are several good free options out there, but most are only for free to home users • Avoid any sort of “internet security” package that tries to do more than provide antivirus protection • Make sure the Windows Firewall is turned on and configured properly • Make sure you continue backing up and verifying your data • Make sure Windows XP computers are kept behind a recent NAT router • Windows XP should never be connected to public or unencrypted Wi-Fi hot spots • Consider updating Windows XP to a more recent operating system • Also consider the age of the hardware XP is currently running on

  14. What Should I Do to Continue Using Windows XP? • Pay Options / Options You Might Need Professional Help to Implement • An “external” internet filtering / security service such as OpenDNS • Computer monitoring / patching / repair service such as offered by a Managed Service Provider • “Managed” Antivirus service, often offered by MSP’s • Upgrade NAT router to a UTM firewall

  15. Resources • Windows lifecycle fact sheet - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle • Microsoft Products Support Lifecycle Policy (useful for finding out dates for Microsoft products) - http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselect • Microsoft Product Lifecycle Search (useful for searching for specific lifecyle information for specific products) - http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/

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