The Hoboken, N.J-based IT consulting firm eMazzanti Technologies recently posted a countdown clock and tips to help businesses migrate from Windows Server 2003 to its website, as all support for the product, including patches and security updates, will soon be ending. After the July 14, 2015, Microsoft will no longer support Windows Server 2003, which creates potential security problems and immediate compliance issues for businesses.
While there is no precise answer on the total number of installed products, estimates range from eight to 22 million, including virtualized installations of Windows 2003 servers that are currently in use.
The deadline could potentially pose a security issue, as cyberattacks frequently take advantage of opportunities to plant malware-laced email attachments and compromise websites. In March, the Moscow-based security firm Kaspersky Lab revealed a cybercriminal gang raided up to 100 financial institutions internationally for an estimated $1 billion. Hackers took advantage of unpatched systems, even though updates existed, to access administrators’ computers and video surveillance systems.
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