Windows XP

Just got a notice from Microsoft on Bill's XP saying there is only 5 days left till support ends. Just took his computer offline so it is now no longer connected to the internet.

Just thought I would let everyone know who has an XP online.

Bets

Good move! I took mine off several months ago.

I'm "taking a chance" by staying "status quot" with my WIN XP machine. Maybe I will be "lucky", maybe NOT. It's a gamble that I'm willing to take----- for NOW!
Sandy

Your best protection (using WinXP or any other OS) are your own Internet habits. Be careful opening email from unknown sources. Use good current anti-virus software, ex. Avast.

I've found that with close to 100% accuracy I can tell what email is spam just from the subject and source without reading it. Good email providers now have quite successful spam filters so you won't even receive most of the junk.
Be extra careful downloading software and use an alternative browser to Internet Explorer.

WinXP will be obsolete when it no longer runs software in which you are interested. Until then, there is no reason to change if you don't use the Internet. Even if you do use the Internet but use reasonable care, it will be safe enough.

Very good advice for those continuing to use XP - or any operating system for that matter. I always say the same thing - you can have all the best anti-virus software in the world, but the user is the first defense against malware.

Unfortunately, the inherent insecurities in XP have very little to do with the user. The underlying code is ancient in technology terms and after 12 1/2 years, Microsoft is no longer going to patch the security holes. Every month that new exploits are developed and the holes are not patched leaves your XP computer more and more vulnerable. If businesses and individuals had moved off XP leaving a small target, I'd say it's probably not worth the time of the bad guys. But with XP still making up almost 30% of installed operating systems, my fear is it simply presents a much too tasty and easy target.

But I'm going to do like you advise and only use the internet very rarely. I took my XP computer off my network a couple of months ago because I just don't want to take the chance of it getting hosed. I have an image backup, but don't feel like dealing with reimaging my disk!

Thanks so much for your wise input, Robert. I happen to be EXTRA careful to scrutinize the "subjects" in my E-Mail. Also those "scrambled-up" names of those who send them. I use a "heavy Finger" on my DELETE key. LOL
Sandy

Perhaps you can call it "The Finger of Doom."

I think I WILL, Draclvr, as long as it's not MY "DOOM"
Now that I "stole" your idea, I'll go quietly now. LOL
Sandy