NSA recommends users ditch Windows XP

[Emil]

The National Security Agency (NSA) is advising users to upgrade from Windows XP to either Windows Vista or Windows 7. Furthermore, the organization says that when possible, choosing a 64-bit version of Windows is recommended. We at TechSpot wholeheartedly agree.

The NSA's latest recommendation comes as part a 10-page document titled "Best Practice for Securing a Home Network" (PDF). Interestingly, and unsurprisingly, Linux is not mentioned at all. Here is the crux of the advice:

Migrate to a Modern OS and Hardware Platform
Both Windows 7 and Vista provide substantial security enhancements over earlier Windows workstation operating systems such as XP. Many of these security features are enabled by default and help prevent many common attack vectors. In addition, implementing the 64-bit mode of the OS on a 64-bit hardware platform substantially increases the effort of an adversary to attain a system or root compromise. For any Windows-based OS, verify that Windows Update is configured to provide updates automatically.

Although Windows Vista and Windows 7 are used by 35 percent of users around the world, Windows XP still trumps them both with 53 percent market share, according to the latest April 2011 data. This is very unfortunate given that XP is a decade-old operating system.

Microsoft knows this and is making its own attempts to woo users off the platform. The software giant still supports those using XP, despite its hate for the ancient OS.

On April 14, 2009, Microsoft retired Mainstream Support for XP, and with it, support for IE6. The company is not planning to retire Extended Support for the operating system until April 8, 2014. If the company ends up releasing XP SP4 (highly unlikely), it will retire support for SP3 (released in April 2008) two years later, or in April 2014, whichever comes first. In short, Windows XP will continue to be officially supported by Microsoft for about three more years. Despite the support options, Redmond still wants XP and IE6 to die.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/43579-nsa-recommends-users-ditch-windows-xp.html

 

[Raswan]

If you hadn't **** the bed on us with Vista, we wouldn't have stuck with XP for so long. Win7 just came out. Chillax for another year, and you'll get your switch.

 

[Ithryl]

Damn and I thought this Agency is absolutely useless. ... oh wait

 

[tipstir]

Not going to happen. Not enough 64-bit systems although most 64-bit systems sill use 32-bit OS on them. Example ACER W500 uses AMD C-50 64-bit but comes with Windows 7 HP 32-bit for the OS. All those netbooks from 2009 to 2010 are 32-bit. Can't see owners ditching though just yet. I still run Windows XP Pro SP3 all patched up running MSE an etc. Those system can't run Vista nor Windows 7.
Well if NSA going to have some sort of buy back program to give those who have older Windows XP no-64 bit systems cash back or a check, then just maybe everyone will get on the bandwagon and say good by to your old friend Windows Xp 32-bit.

 

[zillion]

It is purely an advice, so ppl can take it or not.

Tbh i still didnt find vist as bad as the hype made it, it wasnt the best and had its flaws but i still liked it.

Win7 on the other hand is just pure win!!

 

[cmbjive]

Windows Vista is such a crappy browser that I wouldn't blame anyone for not upgrading from XP. That being said, Windows 7 is more stable than Vista so MS should offer a discounted program to get XP users to upgrade.

Also, many businesses still use Windows XP. I have worked for many employers who still use XP. Can't convince people to upgrade if businesses won't upgrade as well.

 

[HaMsTeYr]

@cmbjive: Windows Vista is such a crappy browser...? I never recalled it being a browser : P

On a more related note, I don't think its that difficult to switch over to 7 64 either... Most laptops of today DO come out with windows 7 64 bit though. Plus I don't see why people wouldn't want windows 7 now... >.>

 

[Zilpha]

WThat being said, Windows 7 is more stable than Vista so MS should offer a discounted program to get XP users to upgrade.

They actually did. If you pre-ordered it you got it dirt cheap. Besides that, XP had a run of over a decade. If people truly balk at spending 100-200 bucks every ten years, they need to evaluate whether they really need to have a computer or not.

 

[princeton]

raswan said:
If you hadn't **** the bed on us with Vista, we wouldn't have stuck with XP for so long. Win7 just came out. Chillax for another year, and you'll get your switch.

Win7 came out in 2009. That's two years ago. If that's "just came out" for you then you need to rethink your perception of lengths of time.

 

[Guest]

I recommend to NSA downgrade Windows Vista or 7 to Windows XP.

 

[edvim]

Taking into consideration how tightly woven corporate dogma has become with public policy in Washington D.C., the strong proprietary air to this NSA paper isn't surprising. It does try to be a comprehensive online security paper touching on operating systems, browsers, PDF readers, local router settings, etc. but it fails at giving non-techie users any insight on viable (and sometimes better) alternatives.
Even following it's limiting Windows-centric tone, I don't think a fully patched WinXP SP3 install is significantly more hazardous to use online than Win7. Giving MS Office it's own section is also revealing about the bias throughout the paper. (Been quite happy with OpenOffice.org and now LibreOffice myself). Also, there are a lot of people and small businesses still trying to recover from the recent economic downturn so buying all new computer hardware that's Vista (relatively massive resource hog) or Win7 (not as much) compatible is on hold for a while. On the other hand, a clean install of WinXP will run fine on older hardware.
If there was a mention of Linux Mint or Crunchbang that'll run even better on older hardware (giving the user not just a stable, secure operating system but safer applications for web browsing and such) than I'd be much more likely to view the NSA as an institution serving the public's needs and not just another corporate tag-along.

 

[edvim]

>> 100-200 bucks every ten years???
I think you're only taking into consideration buying a copy of Win7. Actually the costs will be much more since Win7 simply won't run that well on ten year old hardware. WinXP will run fine on hardware Win7 cannot so real world costs involve a new PC (or at least a newer reconditioned box.) Even a dated PIII with 512 MB of RAM will be a usable WinXP system but not with Win7. MS made a lot of resource usage improvements in Win7 compared to Vista but it still requires a relatively decent computer to run on.

 

[Zecias]

cmbjive said:
Windows Vista is such a crappy browser that I wouldn't blame anyone for not upgrading from XP. That being said, Windows 7 is more stable than Vista so MS should offer a discounted program to get XP users to upgrade.

Also, many businesses still use Windows XP. I have worked for many employers who still use XP. Can't convince people to upgrade if businesses won't upgrade as well.

Browser??? i think u mean OS...

 

[EDO219]

"Interestingly, and unsurprisingly, Linux is not mentioned at all."

I am very surprised, actually. Why isn't any build of Linux mentioned? o_o

 

[Guest]

I'm sure the NSA (a group of the smartest Mathematicians, and Computer security specialists in the world) can sleep well knowing that the folks at Techspot.com "Wholeheartedly Agree"....thank you....

 

[Guest]

I don't have any problems with my "No Modern OS" Windows XP and I feel very secure with it !!!

 

[matrix86]

Guest said:
I recommend to NSA downgrade Windows Vista or 7 to Windows XP.

............huh? You know, every once in a while, we have guests who post something useful or something that is genuinely funny...this is not one of those

But anywho, I think the big issue is that most people will need to upgrade their computer so it can run Win7 or get a new one. For most people, it simply isn't worth it. My parents are just now looking into getting a new computer, but only because the current one is pooping out on them. Some people just don't see the need for spending money unless it's for something important. When all you do is browse the web, print off coupons, and check email, a new computer or a new OS is not considered important...for me it's a necessity...which is why i'll never have money thanks to ever-evolving technology

 

[B00kWyrm]

Of course NSA wants us to switch... They have a backdoor in Win7!

 

[Guest]

NSA recommends users... Not for me !!!

 

[Guest]

NSA recomends to migrate a modern OS diferent to XP... Come on, give me a break !!!

 

[cmbjive]

To all, yes, I meant Windows as an OS, but can't go back an edit what was written.

 

[Guest]

LOL....LOL....LOL

They recommend to go with Vista !!!

LOL

 

[OUTLAWXXX]

Does anybody else think Microsoft might have made it easier for the NSA to tap into our PC's with vista and 7? upgrading to Vista is just bad advice imo but win 7 is excellent. It's very true that the security is better with those two OS but seriously, when was the last time any government agency gave out good advice on PC security? Just seems like they have an agenda behind it. Oh well I've already got win 7 so too late to worry about that ^_^

 

[Guest]

Stop whining, you nerds, and upgrade you ****ed up granma's ugly beige plastic PCs to something that will be more fitting to your "modern" life styles! Even a Vista x64-based properly configured PC with 64-bit hardware will whip any XP-run PC's ***, I thought you were supposed to be on the bleeding edge of computing tech...And Win7?....I tell you what...if you still on XP a year and a half after 7 came out - you're beyond redemption. No ****ing excuses to save you from eternal misery.

 

[Guest]

NSA recommends upgrading to anything but XP...Everyone down grades to Windows ME, because they are paranoid conspiracy ******. NSA...national SECURITY agency...They invented computer encryption...."when was the last time a government agency gave good advice about computer security?" ARE YOU ****ing kidding me?! the "internet" was invented by [D]ARPA, a Pentagon agency....GOD I Just face palmed so hard.