End of support for Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows XP Service Pack 1!

As of the 11th of July 2006 Microsoft will bring a close to Extended Support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Microsoft will retire public and technical support, including security updates, as of this date.

Existing support documents and content, however, will continue to be available through the Microsoft Support Product Solution Center Web site. This Web site will continue to host a wealth of previous How-to, Troubleshooting, and Configuration content for anyone who may need self-service.

Microsoft is retiring support for these products because they are outdated and can expose customers to security risks. Microsoft recommend that customers who are still running Windows 98 or Windows Me upgrade to a newer, more secure Microsoft operating system, such as Windows XP, as soon as possible.
Customers who upgrade to Windows XP report improved security, richer functionality, and increased productivity.

End of support for Windows XP Service Pack 2

On October 10, 2006, Microsoft will end all public assisted support for Windows XP Service Pack2 (SP2). After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide any incident support options or security updates for this retired service pack under the policies defined by the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy.
To enhance the security of your computer and to continue to receive updates for Windows XP, we recommend you upgrade your computer, for free, to Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3).

Are your computers protected against the latest security threats?

What are the threats?

Viruses. Viruses come in many disguises and varieties. They may make your keyboard beep when you press a key. They may wipe your hard disk. They may access your email address book to send viruses out to other computers, they may even use your computer to attack other computers inside your network. Between 23rd June 2004 and 21st July 2004, Symantec released 61 anti virus patches.

Adware and Spy ware. These programmes may be inadvertently downloaded whilst you are surfing the web, using shareware and freeware programmes. They can track what you are doing whilst on the web, send this information to outside people for use in profiling your surfing habits in order to target you with adverts or more sinister, they can track your password and Log On Identity on various web sites including banks, building societies.

Hacker Attacks. Whilst you are on the web whether that be on broadband or dialup, you are vulnerable to people accessing your system via your web link. Whilst on your system, they may just look around, they may gather information such as passwords, credit cards etc, they may use your PC to host various programmes to attack other systems or even use your system to store content that they do not wish to be found on their PC.

Systems Security Patches. All systems use and Operating System Software from which ever manufacturer. These systems may contain security holes, they may be effected when other application are loaded - such as word processors packages, spreadsheet packages, databases, they may also be effected by hardware changes such as new printers, modems etc.

How can we help you?

Midland Data Networks can under take various security checks on your systems in order to recommend a suitable security policy, which may include anti-virus, anti-spy ware, anti adware software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems and Operating System patch maintenances.

If you do not ensure that your system is secure, someone will take advantage of it. It is better to protect your system than to ask for someone to remove viruses, adware, spy ware after the damage has been done.

For more help, call Midland Data Networks on 01949 876098 or

What does this mean to you if you use the product?

These products will continue to work after the dates stated above, however, Microsoft will not be undertaking any new developments on the platforms, they will not be releasing any new service packs. This means that you may become vulnerable to security loop holes as the hacker community continue to probe any holes in the products. Your virus checker suppliers may continue to provide patches to check for viruses, but Microsoft will not be adding any patches to the operating systems.

Remember what problems the Blaster and Nachia viruses caused?

You needed to patch your NT4, 2000 and XP systems with patches from your virus software supplier and from Microsoft. In future, you will not get this type of support from Microsoft for the NT4 family. They will also only provide email support for a limited period, unless you can agree a support contract directly with them, which may be costly.

As these products get older and Microsoft drop mainline support, many other software packages will not be written for them. For example, Microsoft Office XP or Microsoft Office 2003 (Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook and Access) are only supported from Windows 2000 service pack 4 onwards. Therefore, if you are running NT4, 98, 98se or Windows ME, you cannot purchase a Microsoft Office Product for your PC.

What can you do to help yourself?

You should look at migrating your Operating systems to a the Windows Server 2003 product family, Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro. You will also need to think about the other applications on your PCs and servers, will they work with the newer operating systems. Will your existing email software work - do you have Exchange 5.5?

Midland Data Networks can assist you in the migration from your current system to a new solution. How will the new Windows Server 2003 and Exchange 20003 which share the Active Directory benefit you.

IN SUMMARY

If you are using Windows NT4 Workstation/Server or Windows 2000 family of products.

You Are Now At Risk

If you are using Windows 98, Windows 98SE or Windows ME you should think of upgrading now to avoid any possible security threats.

For more information, contact us and we will be happy to assist.