Microsoft warns against Windows XP security update hack

Night Hawk said:

The reference to any 10yr. support cycle is mainly surrounding automobile manufacturers who are required by federal law to provide spare parts for each model year for at least 10yrs. from the time each year is new. A brand new 2014 vehicle should be seeing spare parts at least until 2024.

The difference with softwares being a totally different type of product is how MS extended support to XP due to the slow migration seen by IT dept.s to Vista and later 7 for as long as it still seemed somewhat profitable to them since the bulk of MS revenues come from the business community.

The reluctant migration to Vista from XP was primarily due to MS "understating" note the actual minimum system requirements to allow OEMs to push Vista out on inadequate pcs and laptops stating only 512mb of memory when at least 1gb to 1.5 better 2gb was the actual need for the newer larger version resulting in ME II?!

The stripping away of features as well as support for things Vista and later 7 were to see included as well as the doing with the traditional desktop gui in favor of an Win RT look alike in 8, 8.1 could well end up making the latest offering a sequel many will label "ME III" with early word on "9" not looking too good either. 9 beta however is still the rumor mill on what that will turn out to be. Win 7 on the other hand still tends to remain the one true success story for MS as far as the OS side of things.

Thank you for "getting it"!

Pete4 said:

A Guy said:

So Windows XP is hardware? That's a strange logic. A Guy

Show me computer without operating system, that is not useless piece of junk and show me usage for Win xp, that does not require some type of computer hardware and I agree with you 100%.
How about this: your 7 year old car is no longer safe to drive on the road because software running on it's 10 or so computers is no longer supported? Far fetched? Not really, we already have systems like GM Onstar, that can access network to call for emergency, once the car can access network, it could be hacked and most computers in a car are networked. You figure the rest.

Bad analogy. Car computers use a completely different OS. Not all are hackable.

Lady Fitzgerald said:

Pete4 said:

A Guy said:

So Windows XP is hardware? That's a strange logic. A Guy

Show me computer without operating system, that is not useless piece of junk and show me usage for Win xp, that does not require some type of computer hardware and I agree with you 100%.
How about this: your 7 year old car is no longer safe to drive on the road because software running on it's 10 or so computers is no longer supported? Far fetched? Not really, we already have systems like GM Onstar, that can access network to call for emergency, once the car can access network, it could be hacked and most computers in a car are networked. You figure the rest.

Bad analogy. Car computers use a completely different OS. Not all are hackable.

You refuse to admit that if it was made by a human another human can "Hack it"?

HammerHead said:

Lady Fitzgerald said:

Pete4 said:

Show me computer without operating system, that is not useless piece of junk and show me usage for Win xp, that does not require some type of computer hardware and I agree with you 100%.
How about this: your 7 year old car is no longer safe to drive on the road because software running on it's 10 or so computers is no longer supported? Far fetched? Not really, we already have systems like GM Onstar, that can access network to call for emergency, once the car can access network, it could be hacked and most computers in a car are networked. You figure the rest.

Bad analogy. Car computers use a completely different OS. Not all are hackable.

You refuse to admit that if it was made by a human another human can "Hack it"?

A computer has to have access to the internet to be hackable. Most car computers are closed systems and require a physical connection to access them.

How about remote start?

How about?
Maintenance programs from remote locations?
How about keyless entry?
How about trip information (directons, etc.)?
How about too numerous to mention?

HammerHead said:

How about remote start?

How about?
Maintenance programs from remote locations?
How about keyless entry?
How about trip information (directons, etc.)?
How about too numerous to mention?

Not all vehicles have all that. All I have is keyless entry on my 2008 F150. That's not worth worrying about since it's even easier to just break the glass. Most of the actual vehicle computers that control the vehicle itself are still closed systems. The ones you listed don't affect vehicle operation or safety.

We are straying from the point. The point is no manufacturer can afford to support for a product forever. Build a bridge and get over it.

Most computer modules in a car are networked.
Let me give a simple one.
The module that controls how the engine runs and transmission shifts is networked to the radio, windshield wippers and Antilock Brakes and steering. Also to the automatic door locks and much much more.
The car communicates to the outside world with a special built antenna normally incorporated in the radio antenna. Yes cars have been hacked while driving down the road.

If you really want to get into automobiles this is a start.
It gets very high tech quickly.

The 'Other' Modules: Counterman

Module Mania
As we said earlier, we’re not going to list all of the vehicle specific submodules because it would probably fill the rest of the pages in this magazine and then some. Instead we’ll give you a short list of “other” modules classified by what they do. Many of these modules have a single dedicated function to perform, so they are relatively simple. But others can be nearly as complex (and costly to replace) as a PCM. To make matters worse, most of these modules may be located virtually anywhere inside the vehicle. Space is tight inside today’s electronics-packed vehicles, so engineers are often forced to locate the module wherever they can find a spot that hasn’t already been taken by something else. Finding a module’s location often requires looking it up on an illustrated component guide or wiring diagram.

Some of these other modules include:
● ABS/traction control/stability control module
● Airbag (SRS) module
● Alarm module (or chime module) for anti-theft system
● Cruise control module (if not integrated within the PCM)
● Electronic steering module
● Fuel pump control module
● Injector driver module (such as FSD/PMD modules on GM diesel engines)
● Instrument cluster control module (which may be part of the cluster itself or a separate black box)
● Keyless entry module
● Lighting module
● Remote start/immobilizer module
● Suspension control module
● Transfer case module (4WD)
● Wiper motor control module
● Vehicle communication module (such as GM OnStar module)
● Plus all kinds of “mini” modules for power windows, power seats, heated/cooled seats, power sliding doors, door locks, sunroofs, air flow control doors inside the Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, and so on.

Okay a little off subject, forgive me but I'm and car techie retired.

Pete4 said:

A Guy said:

So Windows XP is hardware? That's a strange logic. A Guy

Show me computer without operating system, that is not useless piece of junk and show me usage for Win xp, that does not require some type of computer hardware and I agree with you 100%.
How about this: your 7 year old car is no longer safe to drive on the road because software running on it's 10 or so computers is no longer supported? Far fetched? Not really, we already have systems like GM Onstar, that can access network to call for emergency, once the car can access network, it could be hacked and most computers in a car are networked. You figure the rest.

That makes no sense. It still doesn't make XP hardware. You can take that PC, minus XP and add any OS that will work. And that would be many. The fact that it DOES require hardware is telling. XP is not hardware, plain and simple, regardless of any other discussion. Even people who believe MS should still support XP ( with SOFTWARE updates ),would agree it was not hardware

A Guy