Microsoft recently issued a security intelligence report stating that computers running on its Windows XP operating system are six times more likely to have been infected with malware than those running Windows 8.

Coupled with the fact that Microsoft will stop offering support and security updates and patches for Windows XP as of April 8, 2014, that means control systems that run on XP are at serious risk of infection.

These are the 2 important milestone dates that users should take note of.

• April 8, 2014: updates and support for Windows XP will expire
• December 31, 2016: distribution for systems using Windows XP will cease

While we all knew this was coming, the reality is that after April 8, networks and systems using this system will be exposed to security vulnerability issues.

Also this means that, with minor exceptions, Phoenix Contact will no longer be able to ship or sell systems containing the Windows XP operating system after December.

So to you as a Phoenix Contact user, how does this news impact you?

Phoenix Contact Product Availability

The table below details the availability of any Phoenix Contact product built with this operating system. Our goal is for you to utilize this information in order to make sound purchasing decisions regarding products from Phoenix Contact.

Although this move by Microsoft is inevitable…Do not worry! The mGuard Security Appliance with CIFS Integrity Monitoring from Phoenix Contact offers a feasible, secure and affordable industrial solution to protect Windows XP systems.

The security solution mGuard with CIFS Integrity Monitoring allows customers to continue using Windows XP even after Microsoft stops the support without having to accept the resulting security risks.