# MA-378.032014: MyCERT Alert - Microsoft Ending Support for Windows XP and Office 2003

**Date:** 14 Mar 2014  
**Source:** https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisory?id=MA-378.032014  
**Advisory ID:** MA-378.032014

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**1.0 Introduction**
Microsoft has released an official announcement that Microsoft is ending support for the Windows XP Operating System and Office 2003 on April 8, 2014.  After this date, both Microsoft products will no longer receive any software or content updates, security patches and assisted technical support from Microsoft.
Customers are required moving to a modern operating system or latest product to avoid from any potential risks such as in security, compliance, lack of independent software vendor (ISV) support and hardware manufacturer support.
**2.0 Impact**
These updates address a security concern for unprotected PCs with no security updates and patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware for possible malicious attack.
**3.0 Affected Products**
Microsoft end support products are affected for the following versions:
- Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3) Operating System
- Microsoft Office 2003 Products
**4.0 Recommendation**
Microsoft recommends users to migrate of Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 to a current supported product:
4.1 For Enterprise Customers of Windows XP should migrate to a modern operating system, please refer:
- Microsoft Sales Representative or [Microsoft Certified Partner](http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-US/home).
4.2 For a Small to Medium Business of Windows XP should migrate to a modern operating system, for details please refer:
- [Microsoft Certified Partner](http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-US/home) to understand the best options business needs.
- PCs that meets the system requirements [Windows 7](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/system-requirements) or [Windows 8.1](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/system-requirements), can buy Windows 7 Professional or Windows 8.1 Pro from a [local retailer](http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/home) or [Microsoft Certified Partner](http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-US/home).
- PCs that does not meet the system requirements, can consider purchasing a new business PC with Windows 8.1 Pro.
4.3 For users of Microsoft Office 2003 after this date, shall upgrade to a newer version of Office to get continuation supports and updates via:
- [Microsoft Store](http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/categoryID.62684700)
Users also could refer for [Windows lifecycle fact sheet](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle) about detail of Microsoft product lifecycle.
Generally, MyCERT advises the users of this software to be updated with the latest security announcements by the vendor and follow best practice security policies to determine which updates should be applied.
For further enquiries, please contact MyCERT through the following channels:
E-mail : [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#caa9b3a8afb8f3f3f38aa9b3a8afb8b9afa9bfb8a3beb3e4a7b3) or [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f5988c96908781b5988c96908781db9a8792db988c)
Phone : 1-300-88-2999 (monitored during business hours)
Fax : +603 89453442
Handphone : +60 19 2665850 (24x7 call incident reporting)
SMS : CYBER999 REPORT EMAIL COMPLAINT to 15888
Business Hours : Mon - Fri 08:30 -17:30 MYT
Web: <https://www.mycert.org.my>
**5.0 References**
- <https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA14-069A-0>
- <http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/endofsupport.aspx>
- <http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/support-is-ending-for-office-2003-HA103306332.aspx>