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Last updated on Thursday, April 3, 2014
(UNDATED) - Microsoft will end support services Tuesday for its most popular operating system.
Microsoft introduced Windows XP 12 years ago. The newest PC's running on XP were issued six years ago.
Indianapolis tech expert Dave Arland, who runs the "Dave the Gadget Guy" consumer electronics website, says those computers won't suddenly crash on Tuesday, but Microsoft won't update the software any more. That means the estimated half-billion computers still running on XP will instantly become prime targets for viruses and spyware.
The termination of support is a normal occurrence. Arland says if Microsoft had to keep servicing every version of Windows, it wouldn't have time to concentrate on its newer software.
But XP was so successful that Arland says a third of all PC's still use it, even though it's now two generations behind the most up-to-date software.
Most ATM's run on Windows XP, though Arland says the security concerns aren't as great with those machines because they aren't linked to the Internet.
Arland says if you're determined to put off going computer shopping, you at least need to keep your antivirus software current, and stop using Explorer in favor of a more secure browser like Firefox or Chrome.
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