The End? Windows XP

Recently, there has been a huge ransomware attack on the Internet and someone was able to stop it. Microsoft has issued patches for Windows XP and Server 2003 for people that may still be affected by it. The question I have to ask is this and I'm sure others have, too. Why are people still using XP? It's simple. People are still comfortable with this operating system.

Windows XP released in late 2001 and had support up until mid 2014. Even though Windows 95 was a game changer for computers, XP is one that still resonates will millions of people throughout the world. I worked at a kids baseball park last summer, and one of the computers they had to sign in for a shift was running XP. I've read stories about ATM's and businesses still running it. I don't know how true this is, but I've also heard about the Pentagon still using Windows 95. We are still comfortable with using an operating system that for the time felt very modern and still felt like the last few operating systems.

That being said, however, end of support means no more patches, no more fixes, nothing. I understand that people may not want to upgrade, but you're running a huge risk. You go on the Internet with XP, you're taking a huge chance on getting viruses and malware. That stuff can hurt you financially and maybe more if they get access to your passwords. Hackers know this. They know it's still a widely used operating system and it's going to be that way for a long time.

As much as I hate to say this considering I did love Windows XP from 2004 up until 2011, it's time to upgrade to a 10 computer or maybe 8.1. Microsoft is offering updates to prevent this stuff from happening on everything after XP, so I would take a look and see if there were updates put on your computer. If you're that set on using XP still, do not have it hooked up to Wi-Fi, Internet, whatever. I would treat it like Windows 95 and 98 and not have any Internet stuff connected.

I've been using computers since 1995 at the age of three, and have used them for important stuff since 2002. This is my quick ending message. Stay safe. It's dangerous to venture onto the Internet with computers that have no more support.