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back to article Hackers ZERO IN on ZOMBIE XP boxes: Get patching, Internet Explorer 8 users

A newly uncovered attack specifically targeting out-of-support Windows XP machines running Internet Explorer 8 is being used to hack potential victims in multiple industries across Europe and North America, according to security researchers. This is the first “in the wild” attack spotted against Windows XP after Microsoft …

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  1. herman

    Well, since various government users have subscribed to extended XP support, MS can just as well make it available globally.

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    1. Shades
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      Next time...

      ...the plumber is around your house can you send him round mine? I'm sure you won't mind picking up the bill too would you?

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      1. Destroy All Monsters Silver badge
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        Re: Next time...

        The question is, why does XP even NEED support. After more than ten years, should it functionality not be restricted by safe & secure?

        Perish the thought.

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  2. Dan 55 Silver badge

    eXtended Patching

    Let's see MS try and argue why they're not offering an update for this exploit just after they've gone and made an update for another exploit freely available.

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    1. Richy Freeway
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      Re: eXtended Patching

      This is the same exploit.

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  3. Dan 55 Silver badge
    FAIL

    D'oh!

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  4. MJI Silver badge

    Been patched today

    And Ithought they EOLed it.

    Perhaps Mint can wait a little longer

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  5. AnoniMouse

    Where's the surprise? This is nothing short of a protection racket.

    So MS withdraw support.

    MS announce vulns, and that they affect now unsupported MS products.

    Hackers have a field day

    Numerous nefarious actors must be thanking their lucky stars that MS's drive to force people to buy new versions of its OS apparently absolves MS from any responsibility for defects in its past products (still used on 30% of PCs).

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    1. Anonymous Coward
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      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Where's the surprise? This is nothing short of a protection racket.

      You obviously are not aware, but Microsoft already patched this hole in XP too.

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      1. Tom 13
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        Re: Microsoft already patched this hole in XP too.

        Which is why MS should really wave the white flag and surrender to XP users. Charge them $120 for another three years of patch support and be done with it. Maybe by then enough kit will have failed and been replaced that they can kill it. But probably not before then.

        Let's face it the only reason most people buy the newer OSes is either that's what came on the brand name kit at the big box store or the equipment manufacturer is no longer writing XP drivers for their kit. Otherwise most folks would just trundle along using XP because it is fit for their purpose.

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