Introduction
For a computer to operate, it requires an operating system. Windows XP constitutes one of the many operating systems whose manufacturer is Microsoft Corporation. Windows XP is applicable in a variety of computers ranging from laptops, personal computers and desktops. The emergence of windows XP in the market from the year 2000, led to the success of previous operating systems like Windows 2000 Professional and Me Windows. Statistics taken so far indicate that, Microsoft sold about 500 million copies of Windows XP from the year 2001 to 2006. After 2006, the direct purchase of windows XP ceased due to the emergence of a stronger operating system with strong security measures.
Nevertheless, Windows XP is still undergoing successive modifications to deploy its security to data and computer protection in a full-scale secure environment. Computer scientists and researchers argue that, Windows XP does not have proper security measures to provide the required operating system securities. As a result, users tend to ignore or adopt another operating system. Some of the issues under contention included the fact that Windows XP Home edition did not support internet access properly.
Consequently, Microsoft engaged itself in modifying the home edition operating system to rematch its reputation. As from the year 2007, Windows XP 64-bit edition came into the market able to support any computer with Itanium processors. By this time, any computer is at risk due to the security concerns of an operating system. The paper examines the level of security of Windows XP as an operating system. It also examines critically, its recycling, improvement and efficiency in computer applications. (Garrison para. 2-5).
Windows XP Security Vulnerabilities
Windows XP is a product of windows XP kernel-Windows 2000. However, it proves less important to providing a solution to the existing security threats in the computer operations. Windows XP can protect the computer and the stored data. On the contrary, it is important to note that, a window XP has security concerns as far as computer application concerned. For example, although Windows XP emanates from Windows 2000 kernel, it lacks some potential features related to security and protection. Either this provides no otherwise other than to stop using the system or upgrade Windows XP from time to time as this one is now possible. Every computer user is concerned about the security of data be it privacy or protective reasons. Therefore, potential usability and high-level security measure of Windows XP as an operating system is of great importance in meeting the need of users. (Perteley para. 2-5).
The security level of windows XP is not good enough to support massive amount of data stored in the computer unless supportive technologies incorporate. Other concerns include product activation processes and low level of performance. Many users have indicated various weaknesses associated with Windows XP. These include defenselessness to computer malware. Windows XP allows viruses, worms, trojans and other infections to invade the computer due to its incapability to control these malware. Computer scientists have strongly recommended windows XP to be thrown out of the market due to these malware attacks. In fact, security issues continue to separate customers from Microsoft Corporation.(Petreley para. 5-9).
The first edition of Windows XP did not provide privacy of data in any computer. Thus, the privilege of one upholding a certain data form hackers was in danger and such data was easily accessible without dire strains. Furthermore, there was likelihood that, malware destroyed data easily. If such a system is not able to protect both data and computer from attacks, then the system is futile. In addition, this first edition of Windows XP did not restrict any access to administrator accounts. By this, the system is prone to a myriad of attacks hence a compromise data privacy and security of that operating system.
Another security concern associated with the famous Windows XP Home edition is of course, its inability to manage security strategies. The latest versions of Windows XP are able to restrict accessibility and data access through modifications like Groups utility and Local Users thus rendering it burly to multiple attacks. Nonetheless, Windows XP has its own advantages in as much as these security threats seem to outweigh disadvantages.
Remarkably, Microsoft researchers and scientists argue that, any further provision of security measures act like a stepping-stone for further attacks on the system. This is because, for every alternative sought, crackers match it almost immediately. Unmatched systems like Windows XP Home edition are prone to attack by crackers from learnt security measures. The best example of Windows XP cracking happened in 2003 when installation failed to pile up into one patch courtesy of devoid-user action. The absence of patches to act as security control gates in Windows XP led to easy spread of Sasser worm in 2004 through brim over buffer mode that existed in each installation. To combat the vice, Microsoft Corporation has since then released another version of Windows XP with the aim of providing security to the system. Service Pack 2 is able to provide firewalls that render any worm attack less injurious and rare.
Some versions of Windows XP contain scrawny security policies that allow easy attacks. For example, the first attack came because of email attachments in form of a trojan horse. Therefore, it became easier to infect any computer connected with an operating system. Any attachment which is downloaded or opened in a computer and notably contains trojan horse worms, will automatically affect a computer’s operating system. Examples of worms which have attacked Windows XP so far include Bagle, Netsky and Mydoom.
If these worms have the competence to attacking an operating system, then that operating system is non-beneficial in business environments. Service Pack 2 version of Windows XP operating system dejects such worms through, execution service whereby, it records the source of that attachment through collaboration of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. In case of any detection or attack, Windows XP Service Pack 2 version alerts the user with a stern warning message.
Another security concern associate with windows XP is an attack from spyware and adware. These worms not only pose security threats to Windows XP only but other operating systems as well. Presently, even service pack 2 security policies can not stop spyware attack. Upon installation of Windows XP service pack 2, a computer can congeal almost immediately if the operating system is under spyware attack. What makes this malware easy to spread, is the ability to replicate itself in an email attachments. Therefore, to retain user confidentiality of using Windows XP as an operating system, Microsoft released another free beta version in 2007 known as Windows Defender to eliminate adware and spyware from Windows XP.
Windows XP Security Measures
Other than negative security measures concerned with windows XP as an operating system, there are also other beneficial security policies associated with it. For example, Window XP version contains an automatic windows update, which allows an operating system to install security updates automatically. It also contains built-in firewall, which act as a security measure towards controlling the incoming, or attachments that contain malware. It has Windows Update icon located at the toolbar. If for example the user does not, or for one reason or another, is not able to install Windows XP updates, it is able to update itself automatically installing updates and then restarting the computer. The only disadvantage associated with this mode is that, unsaved data can be lost should the windows update automatically and then restart the computer. (Dionysia, Dansenglio and Kessler para. 21-38)
Additionally, windows service pack 2 contains a security policy that allows firewall update installation to change the defects. These firewalls contain another advantage to the computer as they add security enhancers to the memory protection potentiality of an operating system. In this case, processing units built by the new No eXecute technology can update Windows XP and provide further firewalls that will protect it. Moreover, the technology provides a latent for windows XP to prevent further attacks and buffer exploitations from crackers and malware invasion.
Conclusion
It is important to note that, since Microsoft controls operating system market, there can be probable competitors who will ensure that windows XP is easily attacked by both hackers and malware. It is through this concern which makes Microsoft alert in fixing security loopholes of their operating system. Microsoft urges computer users to update their system automatically so that the system is not subjected to security breach. Though the threats are many and challenging, Microsoft is able to fill security policies to the unpatched operating systems.
Computer users are only concerned about the security of their data and computer hardware. For these two poignant themes to receive privacy and protection, an operating system ought to have high security levels, which acts as barriers to intruders and worm infection.
Work Cited
Dionysia, Sofos, Danseglio, Mike and Kessler, Michael. What’s New in Security for Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition. 2003. Web.
Garrison, William. Securing Remote for Windows XP. Moby Disk Consulting. (n.d). Web.
Petreley, Nicholas. Security Report: Windows vs Linux. 2004. Web.