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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,550 posts, read 81,117,303 times
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This notebook I'm on now is XP. but we also have computers with 7 and 8. I use this one while watching TV in the evening only, and will not upgrade since it is not capable of running 7 or 8 and is probably 5-6 years old. If it dies, I'll replace it but meanwhile I will continue to use non-Microsoft security products as I do now as long as they are available to run on XP. Despite the MS de-support, I would expect 3rd parties to continue support for XP because so many still use it, so they can make money.
This notebook I'm on now is XP. but we also have computers with 7 and 8. I use this one while watching TV in the evening only, and will not upgrade since it is not capable of running 7 or 8 and is probably 5-6 years old. If it dies, I'll replace it but meanwhile I will continue to use non-Microsoft security products as I do now as long as they are available to run on XP. Despite the MS de-support, I would expect 3rd parties to continue support for XP because so many still use it, so they can make money.
I have one XP machine (and two with Win 7). I'm not particularly worried about end of MS support. Those that are foolish with their browsing/computing habits most likely already have an XP install that is not kept updated (both the OS and other software) and is thoroughly infested with malware/viruses. MS ending support probably won't make it much worse for them. I don't plan on using the XP machine for my online banking past that date just to be on the safe side, but as far as general browsing goes, I'm not worried. Its behind both a hardware and third party software firewall, has a real time AV program and gets a scan with Malwarebytes a couple times a week. I use an alternative browser and keep all my drivers and software up-to-date. Thanks to not being stupid about sites I visit or attachments I open I haven't had a trojan since 2005 and can't remember the last virus (10+ years). I really don't think I'll have an issue as long as I want to keep the PC.
After support of 98 SE ended in 2006 I had an old Dell (like a 1999 model) that work gave me with it. I had a Voodoo card in it for use with Glide games and it was fully patched up to the point of support ending. It had Opera on it for browsing, was behind two firewalls and had some AV program installed (Avast?). Anyway, I used it online until 2009 - a full three years after support ended. Nothing happened to it.
No,I don't need to see it. My budget isn't very flexible either. Note that I did say " or keep using It". However, you need to calculate the cost of it being hacked or screwed up with malware. Even poor people need to calculate the risk to see if it's worth it.
I have a 4-year-old Dell PC that I CHOSE to have XP Pro loaded on when I bought it (seemed like everyone I knew was having problems with whatever the "correct" OP was at that time). I also got a license for Windows 7 Pro (IIRC) at the same time, as well as discs. Do I have any clue where said discs are after 4 years and a move to a new house? Nope.
A few people have posted in this thread things like "What's the big deal? Pay $70 to upgrade" -- but for me, the cost of the new OP is not the issue AT ALL. The issue (as others have alluded to as well) is that I have a ton of programs on my current XP PC that I use at least once a week (many of course that I use EVERY DAY). I can back up all my documents but I would have to search for all the original discs in order to re-load the programs, that is, IF they even work on Windows 7.
I did a search about XP support ending and found this article: How to keep your PC secure when Microsoft ends Windows XP support | PCWorld . My biggest fear, of course, is being hacked because of a lack of patches for XP vulnerabilities. The PC World article notes that Microsoft Security Essentials will continue supporting XP until July 2015, which gives me another year to find all the discs. I also have and use Malwarebytes (and may upgrade to the Pro version).
The ONLY web sites I visit on my home PC are ones that I've used safely for years (my employer's pages, weather.com, amazon & a few other shopping sites, yahoo for email, google for searches, and of course C-D) -- I simply do not visit ANY site that I am not 100% sure about on this PC (and of course I never click links in email etc.). When I do searches, I keep lists of sites to visit the next time I am at work, since my employer's security is strong and IT will help if there is ever a problem on that computer -- and no, I don't visit any sites that I would be embarrassed about my employer knowing about!
I also will be using Chrome or Firefox as my browser instead of Explorer.
So, given all those things: will I be "safe" using MSE and Malwarebytes AND a non-Explorer browser, assuming the type of browsing that I do? The only alternative for me is to use my netbook as my main Internet computer at home (it has Windows 7 I think), but that isn't my preference.
Yes Karen. And that is good advice actually. Anyone that wants to coninute using XP should stop using Internet Explorer and switch to Firefox, Chrome or Opera.
Yes Karen. And that is good advice actually. Anyone that wants to coninute using XP should stop using Internet Explorer and switch to Firefox, Chrome or Opera.
Yeah Firefox is what I am using now
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