Newsday:
USERS RUNNING Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) or Windows Millennium Edition (ME) won't be able to count on Microsoft for help after July 11. The computer software company is doing away with security updates and tech support for the antiquated operating systems.
Microsoft representative Kelsey Palaniuk said Microsoft decided to end support because the systems are nearing the end of their technological life cycle and it is becoming harder to repair security lapses. Windows 98, 98 SE and ME were developed before the era of sophisticated Internet-based attacks and can't always support security updates that offer better protection, she said.
"These products have reached the point of architectural obsolescence," Palaniuk said in an e-mail. "It would be irresponsible to convey a false sense of security by extending public support'' for old products."
But being deprived of security updates will leave computers using those operating systems vulnerable to viruses and other intruders, according to security experts. Although most consumers have recognised the vulnerability of the older operating systems and have upgraded, experts said a number of businesses and school districts still run the older systems - and may encounter problems.
According to a survey by technology research firm JupiterResearch, 13 per cent of businesses still run Windows 98, while six per cent run Windows ME.
Joe Wilcox, Microsoft analyst for New York-based JupiterResearch, said Microsoft has a legitimate argument for ending support because the technology is more than eight years old. Sunsetting technology, he said, is not uncommon. For example, Microsoft ended support for Windows 95 in December 2001, six years after it was introduced.
"People drive old cars that aren't safe, but is it the manufacturer's fault you're driving a car that's 15 years old?" he said. "It's a difficult situation for Microsoft. From the company's perspective, it's the best thing for all customers to be using something more secure."
Wilcox said Microsoft originally intended to end updates June 30, but pushed back the date to July 11 to allow for one more round of security updates. The updates are available on Microsoft's Web site the second Tuesday of every month.
