Cyber criminals turning to Windows XP

Ageing operating system Windows XP will become the focus of cyber criminals in 2012, reports IT Pro Portal.

As the platform is experiencing a decreasing amount of security updates, hackers are eyeing up the potential to take advantage of the old (but still popular) system.

According to StatCounter, while 40.5 per cent of PCs use OS Windows 7, an extraordinary 38.5 per cent of firms are using the ageing Windows XP.

Security expert Sean Sullivan commented on the rise in XP cyber criminals: "People seem to be adding new systems without necessarily abandoning their old XP machines, which is great news for online criminals, as XP continues to be their favourite target."

The emergence of new platforms for desktops and mobile operating systems like Google's Android 4.0 or Windows Phone 7 won't be ignored by cyber criminals either - they just add to a growing market of cyber crime.

It is imperative that workplaces have appropriate computer support software in order to deal with these threats, otherwise face the consequences of lacklustre security software.

"There will be many interesting surprises in 2012's threat landscape, though some things will remain the same," Sullivan continued on pcadvisor.co.uk.

"We don't expect a drop-off in Windows based threats just because other platforms are emerging. The market isn't just changing, it's growing. I have no doubt that some innovative criminal will find some way to exploit that growth."

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