Microsoft throws Windows 98 users to the wolves Upgrade or be hacked
By Nick Farrell: Wednesday 14 June 2006, 15:58
AFTER SIX YEARS in the marketplace, Microsoft has finally had enough of supporting Windows 98 and is abandoning it to the hackers.
In the last batch of security patches, the Vole steadfastly refused to patch a hole in Windows 98 but did so for Windows 2000, XP and Windows server.
Some of the Windows 98 users that are still out there say that Microsoft's refusal to do so was foul play, given that support for the aging software does not officially end until July 11.
However, a spokesVole claimed that the changes needed to make the ancient OS safe would have required substantial tinkering with it and it could not be bothered.
He claimed that Windows 2000 was such a significant change in architecture from Windows 98 that applying changes could "jeopardise program compatibility". This might be a bit odd as it has not prevented many security upgrades in the past.
Having a look on various web groups there seem to be a bunch of users who are going to be miffed that no security patches are forthcoming.
One user wrote that he was extremely happy with the Dell he bought in 1999 and he didn't want to have to upgrade both the computer and the software. He was hoping that one of the security boffins on the site could help him find get arounds, we think most of them suggested he buy a gun, a bottle of scotch and head for the library.
According to its web site, Microsoft support for Windows XP SP1 will expire on October 11 2006.
