involves a registry tweak that allowed Windows Update to download patches and fixes. It changes the Windows XP ID to Windows POSReady 2009 — an operating system that is set to receive patches until 2019. Obviously, the updates users receive via this route are not exactly intended for desktop computers running Windows XP, but they can be installed. And Microsoft alluded to this false sense of security, in a statement to ZDNet. The company spokesperson said that systems will still remain vulnerable to attacks, as these patches are for the embedded version of the operating system:
“The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers. Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP.”All valid points, it must be said. But then again, an expected statement too. The software titan has tried to convince everyone to move to a newer version of Windows, preferably Windows 8, and it’s not like Microsoft would urge users to go on and hack their machines to spoof the company’s update servers.]]>
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