Windows 7: Windows XP is still Microsoft’s biggest security headache...

A Guy · 11 Oct 2012

Windows XP is still Microsoft’s biggest security headache, but infections are rising on Windows 7

Quote:

The rate of infection ticked up for Windows 7 in the first half of 2012, but Windows XP, Microsoft’s legacy operating system, is still far and away the biggest security headache for the software giant.

According to the recently released Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (PDF), infections per 1,000 systems running 32-bit versions of Windows XP SP3 were almost double those of 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft’s newer operating systems.

Source

A Guy

tman69 · 11 Oct 2012

interesting article--especially about MS monitoring what people install--I wonder what the rate of infection is for people who still run XP Pro SP2.

Personally my rate of infection on my XP SP2 box and Windows 7 32bit Ultimate (with 'no' updates) is nil.

lehnerus2000 · 12 Oct 2012

XP is easy to keep running.
Since I stopped using IE6 (in 2006) I haven't had any "system killer" attacks.

That said, I've never had a "system killer" in Windows 7.

UnknownReverent · 12 Oct 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by lehnerus2000

XP is easy to keep running.
Since I stopped using IE6 (in 2006) I haven't had any "system killer" attacks.

That said, I've never had a "system killer" in Windows 7.

I have a few friends that still use XP and have never had a problem. It just depends on how well you protect your computer and take care of it. Not saying there isn't any flaws, but if you take well care of your computer you'll be fine. There's still quite a few security issues though. That's a bit of an understatement. There's a lot.

LittleJay · 12 Oct 2012

Interesting. I ran XP from when it first came out, until Windows 7 appeared on the scene and never once got infected.

A Guy · 12 Oct 2012

I too have never gotten infected. 7 years on XP, and now 2 1/2 on 7. A Guy

UnknownReverent · 12 Oct 2012

I've never gotten infected, but a few of my friends manage to quite often. I don't understand how to be honest.

LittleJay · 12 Oct 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by UnknownReverent

I've never gotten infected, but a few of my friends manage to quite often. I don't understand how to be honest.

I have a feeling they just aren't as security conscious as you.

UnknownReverent · 12 Oct 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by LittleJay

Quote: Originally Posted by UnknownReverent

I've never gotten infected, but a few of my friends manage to quite often. I don't understand how to be honest.

I have a feeling they just aren't as security conscious as you.

I'm not even that bad with it. I just make sure I scan occasionally and have an antivirus and what not. I even download the same stuff I use for them. Still manages to get something on their computer. Then they come back to me to fix it. Oh well. I need to start charging even though they're close friends. It's getting ridiculous. Lol

LittleJay · 13 Oct 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by UnknownReverent

Quote: Originally Posted by LittleJay

Quote: Originally Posted by UnknownReverent

I've never gotten infected, but a few of my friends manage to quite often. I don't understand how to be honest.

I have a feeling they just aren't as security conscious as you.

I'm not even that bad with it. I just make sure I scan occasionally and have an antivirus and what not. I even download the same stuff I use for them. Still manages to get something on their computer. Then they come back to me to fix it. Oh well. I need to start charging even though they're close friends. It's getting ridiculous. Lol

Have you tried installing WOT on their computers? I really like WOT because it gives you a heads up on whether the web site has a good reputation or not. Of course, if you don't heed the warnings then all bets are off...

Windows 7: Windows XP is still Microsoft’s biggest security headache...

Windows XP is still Microsoft’s biggest security headache... problems?