Microsoft released the final security updates for Windows XP and Office 2003 earlier this week, meaning those who haven't upgraded to modern versions of the company's software may be key targets for cyber-attacks.
Businesses and consumers have been advised by the company to replace computers running on Windows XP or upgrade to more modern services within the "next month" because they will no longer be protected from potential threats after "the middle of May," according to Reuters.
Microsoft introduces new security updates the second Tuesday of every month, which is commonly known as "Patch Tuesday." They also release technical information on security bugs that they are fixing as well.
The next Patch Tuesday is set to take place on May 13, which means those running on XP have until then to upgrade their computers.
Security specialists believe that hackers will "reverse engineer" the May Patch Tuesday software updates to identify ways to access computers still running Windows XP, along with Office 2003.
Office 2003 no longer receive patches from Microsoft.
"Attackers will use this as an accelerator. It's an easier way to get at machines," said Wolfgang Kandek, chief technology officer with cybersecurity firm Qualys Inc., according to Reuters.
The largest software maker in the world said back in 2007 it was planning on ending support for Windows XP within the decade.
Approximately 15 to 25 percent of PCs around the world still run on Windows XP, despite the fact that it was released back in 2001.
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