Will Windows XP Fail After April 8, 2014 (DVD, laptop, desktop, hard drive)

[WindowsGuy]

Windows XP's support is ending in April. Microsoft says to upgrade because it will fail. Even anti-viruses such as Norton, McAfee, Webroot, and Tend Micro says their program won be enough to block viruses and hackers. What do you think?

[Skunk Workz]

Originally Posted by WindowsGuy

Windows XP's support is ending in April. Microsoft says to upgrade because it will fail. Even anti-viruses such as Norton, McAfee, Webroot, and Tend Micro says their program won be enough to block viruses and hackers.

Will it fail? No.
Is it going to be an even larger target than it already is? Yes.
Is it going to be an even larger liability than it already is? Yes.

What do you think?

I think you're several years overdue for an upgrade.

[dkf747]

I have one computer, that's not connected to the internet, running XP. No need to worry about virii and malware. I'll just keep using it as it is.

[NHDave]

Microsoft never said XP will fail in April, it will become even more insecure over time than it already is.

Antivirus software doesn't do all that great of a job now, but it will prevent all the stuff it prevented before April.

If you must run XP then stay with it, I have clients still running Windows 98 boxes, but if you have no reason not to upgrade, then upgrade.

[Hemlock140]

Actually, I still have one running 98. I would not connect it to the internet except to download a file once in a while from e-mail, and I only use it for a specific program that would cost $10,000 to replace with a newer version that runs on 7, or even XP. I also have one on XP, 2 on 7 and one on 8. lack of Microsoft support is not fatal, in fact, when was the last time you needed to contact them for support?

[WindowsGuy]

I dont use Windows XP. I use 7 Pro in my business and 8.1 for home use.

[NJBest]

Originally Posted by WindowsGuy

I dont use Windows XP. I use 7 Pro in my business and 8.1 for home use.

Then you're all set!

[mike1003]

My laptop and MrsM's wife's desktop run XP Pro. None of our computers are hooked up as a network,

Both XP computers are too old to waste the time and money to upgrade.

Question if we remove all banking and purchase info from our 2 XP machines, just use for surfing and use the W7 machine for all banking and purchases, etc are we OK. Or, does just expose us and our friends in our email lists to more possible hacking and pfishing problems

We both are retiring soon and really don't want the expense of 2 new computers (we can afford to buy 2 more but would prefer to wait)

Will buy two if needed. I'm just a procrastinator Thanks for your help

[Bo]

Originally Posted by mike1003

Question if we remove all banking and purchase info from our 2 XP machines, just use for surfing and use the W7 machine for all banking and purchases, etc are we OK. Or, does just expose us and our friends in our email lists to more possible hacking and pfishing problems

There are other concerns besides identity theft and address book theft from a PC compromised by malware. The machine could become part of a botnet. As part of a botnet, your PC would be remotely controlled by persons unknown to send spam messages to strangers, host vile pornography or attack commercial servers. You'd be blissfully unaware of these things happening until the police, the FBI or your ISP contacted you to tell you they were happening on your Internet connection.

Fortunately, all of these things would be detected by good anti-malware software. Make sure you're using a really good antimalware product on those XP machines after April 8. Microsoft Security Essentials is free, but it's not adequate protection. I've seen PCs in my workplace that were compromised by malware that MSE didn't detect. Buy better anti-malware protection and put it in your long-term planning to replace those XP machines.

[MidValleyDad]

Originally Posted by mike1003

My laptop and MrsM's wife's desktop run XP Pro. None of our computers are hooked up as a network,

Both XP computers are too old to waste the time and money to upgrade.

Question if we remove all banking and purchase info from our 2 XP machines, just use for surfing and use the W7 machine for all banking and purchases, etc are we OK. Or, does just expose us and our friends in our email lists to more possible hacking and pfishing problems

We both are retiring soon and really don't want the expense of 2 new computers (we can afford to buy 2 more but would prefer to wait)

Will buy two if needed. I'm just a procrastinator Thanks for your help

There is another way to resolve the problem if you are even moderately computer literate. Try a Linux distribution!
I use Linux Mint. It runs on moderately old machines (Ones that were delivered with XP at least 5 years ago.) You can download an image onto DVD or USB stick and try it without actually loading it on your hard drive.

Main Page - Linux Mint