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A bug was found recently in version 9 of the Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat software that would allow an attacker to take over your computer or steal data. Any time you open an infected PDF from your computer, on the internet, or sent to you via email you could be at risk. For all versions of Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader, keep yourself safe by updating your software and following these steps:

• Download and install the latest security updates from the Adobe Product Updates page.
• You can also check for updates from within Acrobat by going to Help, Check for Updates.
• From within Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat, click on Edit/Preferences. On the left go to the Trust Manager tab, then uncheck the box ‘Allow opening of non-PDF attachments with external applications.’
• From within Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat, click on Edit/Preferences. On the left go to Javascript, and uncheck the Enable Javascript box.

Close the program.

As always, you should also have a good anti-virus running on your system. We recommend Trend or Microsoft Security Essentials.

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Many people still believe that the end date for Windows XP support occurs sometime towards the end of this year (2011). This is not the case.

Mainstream Microsoft support of Windows XP ended over two years ago in April of 2009; which means that we have been without Non-Security Hotfixes (see below), No-Charge Incident Support, Design Changes, Feature Requests or Warranty Claims for some time now. Additionally, in April of 2014, all extended support will end; including ALL Windows Updates and Paid Support.

When it comes to hotfixes the MSLP says that Microsoft will continue to release security hotfixes to keep customers safe throughout the Extended Support phase. However, in order to receive non-security hotfixes after the Mainstream Support End Date a contract called an Extended Hotfix Support Contract must be purchased within 90 days of the Mainstream Support End Date.

There is a ray of hope provided by Microsoft for products that have been phased out: the Retired Product Support Options page. The RPSO page lists about 10 options available for customers using retired products including Microsoft’s Gold Certified Partner program, TechNet, MSDN, and the Knowledge Base.

Additional information about the specifics of these programs can be found via the links below.
Retired Product Support Options
Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy by Product Family
Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ

If you have not already started planning to migrate your existing business systems away from Windows XP, now might be a great time to start. Prices are historically low on new computers, and my PC Techs is offering even greater discounts on the next technology upgrade for your business through our Dell partner discounts and affordable IT consulting services. Give us a call today if you would like to discuss your options to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.