Effective April 8, Microsoft has announced that it will no longer provide support for Windows XP. This includes automatic updates that help protect PCs.
Microsoft also will stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this date. (People who already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed will continue to receive anti-malware signature updates for a limited time, but Microsoft will no longer be providing security updates, leaving PCs at risk.)
Continuing to use Windows XP after support ends might make a computer more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent versions of Windows, greater numbers of apps and devices will appear that will not work with Windows XP. (For more information, click here.)
What does this mean for UNMC students, faculty, staff and business partners?
After April 8, anyone connecting to University of Nebraska network resources will be required to have an updated operating system on their computer, i.e., Windows 7 or newer. The use of older operating systems such as Windows XP presents a risk to personal information stored on computers and to university IT systems — including exposure to malware and viruses that may disrupt operations or result in loss of sensitive data.
Therefore, on and after April 8, anyone trying to access UNMC or other university systems with a computer using Windows XP will be blocked and be redirected to a webpage explaining this situation. This will affect the ability to access Firefly, SAPPHIRE, eSHOP, Employee Self Service, NeSIS student information and all university systems containing sensitive data.
What can you do to avoid any disruption in access to UNMC and other university networks?
There are two options. For computers provided by UNMC, contact your campus service or help desk for instructions. Your IT service group will work with you (or your department) to upgrade or replace your computer with the correct operating system.
For personal computers not provided by the university, first try to upgrade your computer’s operating system to Windows 7 or newer. Upgrades are available online from Microsoft, at many local computer software retailers and through resale. If a computer does not have the hardware to support an upgraded operating system, upgraded hardware or a new computer with a newer operating system will be needed.