Firm Foundation Technology, LLC's Small Business Update
for Monday June 7th, 2004
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Headlines
Microsoft Extends Software Support
Wireless Router Security Flaw
Just the Facts
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Microsoft Extends Software Support
When you are a company as big as Microsoft something is always changing. The Redmond giant recently extended the time it will support business and development software. Now products designed for business use (and there is a catch there) will be supported to some extent for at least ten years from general availability.
There are a few catches that you must understand. The first catch is this extension only applies to business targeted software and operating systems. So for example if you still use Windows 98, forget about bug fixes. You can pay for support through June 2006 and web-based support will continue to be available at least one year past that. But don't expect any security fixes that are not deemed critical by Microsoft unless you pay for them.
Also of note, if you use NT 4.0 products. Since the mainstream support had already ended there is no extension of support past this year. Also some "Business Systems" like Great Plains Software is not covered. For full details go to this URL:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle
The Small Business Impact
I have summarized the Support deadlines for several major products in the Just The Facts section below.
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Wireless Router Security Flaw
Cisco subsidiary acknowledged a security hole in its popular Linksys wireless routers. The only known affected model is the WRTS54G 802.11g router. This hole could allow access to the configuration web pages from the Internet. For some routers with a slightly newer software the flaw is only exposed if you turn off the built in firewall function. Cisco has posted a beta version of the Linksys software that is supposed to completely fix the issue.
the Small Business Impact
If you have any Linksys wireless router, make sure the firewall function is enabled and the firmware is up to date. Also check to see that you have not allowed completely open access to your wireless network. If you need assistance, contact an IT networking professional.
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Just the Facts
MS = Mainstream Support ends on (Mainstream Support is basically full support for the product)
ES = Extended Support ends on (Extended Support is Paid support and only security fixes are free)
| Windows NT 4.0 Workstation | ES 6/30/2004 | |
| Windows NT 4.0 Server | ES 12/31/2004 | |
| Windows 2000 (all versions) | MS 6/30/2005 | ES 6/30/2010 |
| Windows XP Home Edition | MS 12/31/2006 | ES NONE |
| Windows XP Professional | MS 12/31/2006 | ES 12/31/2011 |
| Windows Server 2003 (all versions) | MS 6/30/2008 | ES 6/30/2013 |
| MS Office 2000 | MS 6/30/2005 | ES 6/30/2009 |
| MS Office XP (version 2002) | MS 6/30/2006 | ES 6/30/2011 |
| MS Office 2003 | MS 12/31/2008 | ES 12/31/2013 |
NOTE: The Mainstream Support dates for Office XP and Office 2002 are estimated. Those dates can be changed if MS releases a Service Pack close to the end of Mainstream support. But, the web page with the current exact dates is unavailable at this time.
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See you next week
Stan
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