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Microsoft warns against Windows XP security update hack

Hackers discover way to trick Microsoft into continuing to support Windows XP after updates ceased

Microsoft warns against hack that allows continued Windows XP updates Photograph: Mark Sykes/Alamy

Microsoft has warned against using a hack that allows Windows XP to continue to receive important security updates after Microsoft withdrew support in April.

The hack tricks Microsoft’s update servers into applying security patches to Microsoft’s 13-year-old Windows XP. A small change within Windows XP makes it appear as other versions of Windows that are still supported until 2019. 

Microsoft warned that Windows XP customers may face problems if they install the updates. “The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers,” Microsoft said in astatement released to ZDnet. “Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP.”

Switch browsers at the very least

The UK government paid £5.5m to extend support for Windows XP for one year to allow the public sector more time to migrate to Windows 7 or other supported software. Other countries including the Netherlands also negotiated similar deals with Microsoft.

An Internet Explorer security bug that was actively being used by hackersto gain control of Windows computers came just days after Microsoft ceased security support updates for Windows XP, emphasising the importance of continued security updates for crucial software.

Microsoft later reneged on its support withdrawal and fixed the bug in Internet Explorer on Windows XP. Security experts warned that this would just be the start and that Windows XP users should upgrade their software to a currently supported system like Windows 7, but at the very least should switch to a browser like Google’s Chrome or Firefox that is actively supported.

An estimated 430m PCs were still running some version of Windows XP at the point at which Microsoft withdrew support. In the UK, Windows XP was still used on 17% of computers four weeks later according to data from security firm Secunia.

• Are Windows ‘XPocalypse’ reports overblown?

• How can I use Windows XP safely not it’s no longer supported?

The England international invoked memories of the pair's triumph over Chelsea in Moscow in 2008 ahead of Saturday's match, which Real Madrid went on to win 4-1

Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked Wayne Rooney for wishing him well ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League final triumph over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon on Saturday.

Before the match, Rooney tweeted his former Manchester United team-mate and invoked the memory of the pair's triumph over Chelsea in the competition in 2008, saying: "All the best tonight Ronnie remember Moscow."

Ronaldo went on to score Madrid's fourth goal from the penalty spot in extra time as Los Blancos secured their 10th European crown over their city rivals at Estadio da Luz.

In doing so, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner broke the record for goals in a single Champions League season (17) and became the first player ever to score in two finals for different winning teams.

Ronaldo and Rooney have not always been on such good terms. In the aftermath of the 2006 World Cup, relations between the two men briefly soured as a result of Ronaldo's perceived role in getting his United team-mate sent off by referee Horacio Elizondo during Portugal's quarter-final clash with England.

But the incident was quickly forgotten and the two men went on to win three consecutive Premier League titles together at Old Trafford, as well as the 2008 Champions League final after victory over Chelsea on penalties in Moscow - with Ronaldo heading the opening goal of the match before missing in the shootout.

Ronaldo and Rooney could meet again if England encounter Portugal in the knockout stages of this summer's World Cup in Brazil. 

See all Ronaldo's 17 Champions League goals:



MORE AT: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2014/05/27/4843953/ronaldo-thanks-rooney-for-champions-league-final-support?CMPID=FBUK_140527_ronaldorooneyhttp://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2014/05/27/4843953/ronaldo-thanks-rooney-for-champions-league-final-support?CMPID=FBUK_140527_ronaldorooney

Twitter users to grow 24.4 percent in 2014, US still largest market

John Ribeiro@Johnribeiro

• May 27, 2014 12:10 AM
• print

Twitter users are expected to grow 24.4 percent this year to over 227 million with double-digit growth forecast to continue through 2018 when the number of users will be nearly 400 million, according to a report.

The US will continue to be the country with the largest number of individual Twitter users through 2018, eMarketer said on Tuesday. But its share of users, currently at 20 percent, will drop over the years and give Twitter the opportunity to grow its advertising revenue from outside the U.S.

The Asia-Pacific region increased its share of the number of Twitter users to 30.5 percent in 2013 in comparison to 26 percent for second-place North America. High growth countries in Asia-Pacific were Indonesia and India with 76.3 and 68.8 percent growth, respectively.

The research firm said its estimates are based on how many individual users log in or access Twitter each month within the calendar year. It said its figure differ from Twitter’s reported figure for users because it uses consumer survey data to remove business accounts, multiple accounts for individual users and other sources of potential double-counting.

Twitter reported average monthly active users (MAUs) were 241 million as of Dec. 31, which increased to 255 million at the end of the first quarter.

The figure for Asia-Pacific does not include China which blocks Twitter, although users still access the social networking site using virtual private networks.

By 2018, the share of the Asia-Pacific region is forecast to reach 40.1 percent as the share of North America drops to 19 percent. If there are changes in China’s policies towards foreign social networks, the share of Asia-Pacific could soar further, eMarketer said.

India and Indonesia are forecast to have the third and fourth-largest base of Twitter users in the world in 2014, with about 18 million and 15 million users, respectively.

The popularity of Twitter and other social media in India was reflected in the extensive use of these tools during the recently concluded federal elections in the country. The new prime minister Narendra Modi uses Twitter and Facebook frequently to communicate to literate users and has over 4.4 million followers on Twitter.

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Microsoft and Macklemore: Which do consumers like more?

Microsoft is making a bigger push into physical retail stores. But will consumers buy in? Here's the latest effort at the opening of the Microsoft store at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, on May 20, 2014.

When Apple unveils a new iPhone, customers in long lines are usual sights. But what about Microsoft? Does the tech giant based in Redmond, Washington, boast fandom too?

The answer is yes, if a recent store opening in New Jersey is any indication.

Hundreds of tech shoppers showed up Thursday for the unveiling of aMicrosoft store at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey. It didn't hurt that the opening featured a DJ, prizes, about $1 million-worth of product and software donations to local charities—and a concert by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. More than 200 people had camped out at the mall overnight for a chance to win giveaways and receive free tickets to the musical performance.

"We're opening our stores to build relationships with our customers one at a time," said Jonathan Adashek, general manager of Communication Strategy for Microsoft Stores. "Our customers are asking for these stores."

Brad Quick | CNBC

Microsoft launched its latest store location at the Garden State Plaza in New Jersey on Thursday, May 22, 2014.

Microsoft has more than 90 retail stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

And the retail store push is part of a broad strategy under Microsoft's new CEO Satya Nadella.

Microsoft is trying to gain market share in a competitive market for mobile devices that includes Apple's iPad and MacBook Air laptop. The Microsoft Surface tablet, launched in October 2012 and refreshed last year, has about 2 percent of the tablet market, failing to make a dent on Apple's iPad, according to Reuters. Microsoft has only 3 percent global share in smartphones, chiefly through Nokia.

Brad Quick | CNBC

Microsoft’s new retail stores feature products including the Surface tablet.

Microsoft is betting the new Surface Pro 3, which runs the full Windows operating system, will be the device consumers and businesses turn to when they're replacing laptops. The new device has a 12-inch screen, slightly bigger than its last model, but is thinner and weighs less. It comes in three models, starting from $799,

Big picture, an increased tablet presence would add to Microsoft's hip brand factor, which often can be associated with Microsoft Xboxes.

"We are not building hardware for hardware's sake," Nadella said at a recent product event.

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—By CNBC's Heesun Wee and Brad Quick. Follow them on Twitter@heesunwee, and @bquick83.