Source: ZDNet Security
Summary: If you continue to use Windows XP after it goes end-of-life next April you won’t just be without security patches. You’ll be without signature updates for your Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus.
Just days after sending a clear message about the trouble awaiting Windows XP users next April when Microsoft ends security updates for the operating system (and for Office 2003), the company is saying that it may also stop delivering antivirus signature updates for Microsoft Security Essentials, their free antimalware product. Microsoft effectively states that is was prepared to end antivirus updates for XP.
A spokesperson issued the following statement:
Microsoft will not guarantee updates of our antimalware signature and engine after the XP end of support date of April 8, 2014. Running antivirus on out of support operating systems is not an adequate solution to help protect against threats. Running a well-protected solution starts with using modern software and hardware designed to help protect against today’s threat landscape. In addition, Microsoft recommends best practices to protect your PC such as: 1) running up to date antivirus, 2) regularly applying security updates for all software installed, and 3) using modern software that has advanced security technologies and is supported with regular security updates.
Microsoft’s message about the advantages of consistently updated software is well-covered ground. By continuing antivirus updates, they would just be enabling behavior they have done their best to discourage.
Users who continue to run Windows XP should shift to and Antivirus product that provides updates consistently – something like ESET Antivirus or ESET Smart Security
By Larry Seltzer for Zero Day | October 31, 2013 — 12:30 GMT (05:30 PDT)