Endpoint Management Solution for Previous Versions of Windows OS Unveiled by Faronics

Leading endpoint management solution provider, Faronics, unveiled that their system recovery solution, Deep Freeze, works on XP, apart from all the other latest Windows versions. This came as a delight for XP users who are not keen on upgrading their OS anytime soon. The offering is based on the reboot to restore technology, that helps reverting configuration changes or malicious downloads with a simple reboot.

Microsoft discontinued its support for Windows XP on 8th April, 2014. Despite that, about 7% of worldwide computers continue to run on this OS (Operating System). While this may not seem like much, Windows XP users are in millions. With the withdrawal of support, Windows XP no longer receives updates, which in turn, has left systems prone to various security threats, such as phishing attacks and zero day threats.

Sensitive information, such as passwords, usernames, debit and credit card details, are often obtained by treacherous entities for malicious intent. This is referred as ‘Phishing’. The information is collected by sources who disguise themselves as authentic entities, or at least convince users of the same, and prompt them to provide confidential information. Instant messaging and email spoofing are popular schemes used by cyber criminals for directing users to enter data at fake websites. Interestingly, these website would, most often, have similar look and feel of that of established websites.

In simple words, phishing is one of the key social engineering techniques that thrives on the loopholes of the web security. Now, Windows XP users are more vulnerable to these cyber threats, when compared to those using Mac or the latest Windows versions. It is primarily because not many system management solutions for Windows XP are around. As a result, malicious downloads might end up corrupting files and affecting system performance.

Windows XP is vulnerable to Zero Day threats

Hackers are always on the lookout to exploit a security weakness existing in a system or a network. They end up coding a malicious software that can easily leverage the weaknesses, and make the network vulnerable to serious security risks. Once hackers gain unauthorized control over a network, confidential data can be stolen, which can have massive consequences. ‘Zero Day’ refers to software vulnerability, that a developer is either unaware of or newly aware of. In such a scenario, an official patch to handle the issue has not been developed and released yet. Developers literally have ‘zero-day’, to address the threat and release patches quickly to protect users. Any failure to do so will provide hackers added scope to cause further damage, which would lead to a successful zero-day attack.

Computers still running on XP are prone to zero day attacks with Microsoft itself notifying that without a security patch, ‘zero-day’ attack is almost inevitable.

Is it safe to continue using Windows XP?

While it is true that Windows XP is vulnerable to various security threats, it does not mean that the Windows version can no longer be used. Layered security and reboot to restore solutions are capable of tackling issues discussed above. Hence, those not keen on upgrading their XP, have access to reboot to restore tools and applications that can revert the unwanted changes in their systems.

Faronics’ layered security solution prevents systems from security threats. Its multi-layered security solutions includes Antivirus, Anti-Executable, and Deep Freeze Reboot to Restore software that work together to ensure complete system security from the most prominent and formidable attacks.

Anti-Executable allows only whitelisted file formats to run and Antivirus provides real-time protection. If any phishing and zero day threat passes both of them and alter the system’s baseline configuration, Deep Freeze is built on Reboot to Restore technology and can effectively reverse configuration drifts with a single reboot. Deep Freeze, a Windows Steady State alternative, allows users to ‘freeze’ the desired configuration and the system resets to this ‘frozen’ state after every restart.

Explore More at http://www.faronics.com/technology/reboot-to-restore

About Faronics:

Faronics was founded in 1996 with the intention of helping customers maximise returns from their existing technological infrastructure. It helps companies manage and secure their IT environments. Headquartered in Vancouver, Faronics has offices in USA and the UK in addition to a global channel of network partners. Their solutions have been deployed in over 150 countries in more than 30,000 organisations with more than 9 million licenses sold worldwide.

Faronics Corporation
609 Granville St., Suite 1400
Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1G5
Canada
1-800-943-6422
customerservice@faronics.com

This release was published on openPR.