Microsoft is about to leave more than 70 million users of Windows 98 and its Millennium Edition (ME), exposed to the big bad world of hackers by withdrawing security support. Security vendors too, are now phasing out support for the older versions, leaving them completely vulnerable to virus attacks.

According to the Washington Post, Windows 98 users comprise of 13% of Microsoft's user base, which is surprising as the version was always susceptible to bugs and viruses and was unstable even in its heyday. The rationale behind withdrawing security support for both 98 and ME stems from the fact that both versions are becoming risky propositions to run thanks to dwindling security support and are many generations behind lacking support for today's technologies.