Windows XP No-Support Deadline Has Arrived -- Ignore At Your Peril
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Hi there.
Time to put this thread to bed I think
If people WANT to use stuff they are free to use it -- in most cases the threat of computer infection is TOTALLY OVERRATED - I know plenty of people who have used the Internet for DONKEYS YEARS without any AV software whatsoever and never had a Virus -- Excluding Corporation / Enterprise stuff a lot of Older "Silver surfers" aren't doing things like torrents, giving out private information on Social networks, falling foul of e-mail and other obvious scams like fake websites offering "Tax refunds" etc.
Younger surfers seem to get computers riddled with all sorts of stuff whatever they have on it for protection.
If your machine handles XP and you still have a browser that works - well use it if you want to.
Things like e-banking etc are done much more from MOBILES these days than computers --that's where I'd look for "rich pickings" if I were a Hacker -- not some old "Mom and Pop" computer that might only be used once or twice a week.
Isolated XP machines will also run just fine.
We don't stop people driving older cars just because they haven't been fitted with modern features like ABS brakes etc. We don't also stop pedestrians in cities irrespective of the type of vehicles driving around -- actually the "Eco warrior - Lycra clad cyclist is the REAL pain in the but - not big buses or trucks !!).
However if you DO use XP and get into trouble then its YOUR risk.
Upgrade though when YOU want - don't be dictated to by some large company edict.
(@Jonguy30 - Schools aren't interesting pickings for Hackers either - unless they are interested in unmentionable stuff for which even Jail IMO is not punishment enough -- certainly there's almost ZERO financial gain from attacking these institutions -- only the students themselves might have an interest --changing grades / getting copies of exam papers etc - these will normally be stored on secure servers anyway or should be).
Sometimes people concentrate too much on the Technical problem than thinking about what people actually DO in practice.
Cheers
jimbo
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Security updates!! Oh c'mon ... why these anti virus exist then??
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well...after reading this very informative thread, it seems more than just a little apparent that XP is indeed in danger. Especially when threats cant be seen. I can usually tell when system has malware and I can get it off fast. Xp offline is the ONLY way to keep it...period. I suggest win 7 upgrade simply for the performance and now for obvious security. my ibm xp wifi is off and will stay that way until I install Linux or something. I do wayyyyyyy tooo much online to worry about those very good hackers. and yes, I agree that the best AV will not keep anyone safe in XP. Great thread!!!
james
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Hi there.
Time to put this thread to bed I think
If people WANT to use stuff they are free to use it -- in most cases the threat of computer infection is TOTALLY OVERRATED - I know plenty of people who have used the Internet for DONKEYS YEARS without any AV software whatsoever and never had a Virus -- Excluding Corporation / Enterprise stuff a lot of Older "Silver surfers" aren't doing things like torrents, giving out private information on Social networks, falling foul of e-mail and other obvious scams like fake websites offering "Tax refunds" etc.
Younger surfers seem to get computers riddled with all sorts of stuff whatever they have on it for protection.
If your machine handles XP and you still have a browser that works - well use it if you want to.
Things like e-banking etc are done much more from MOBILES these days than computers --that's where I'd look for "rich pickings" if I were a Hacker -- not some old "Mom and Pop" computer that might only be used once or twice a week.
Isolated XP machines will also run just fine.
We don't stop people driving older cars just because they haven't been fitted with modern features like ABS brakes etc. We don't also stop pedestrians in cities irrespective of the type of vehicles driving around -- actually the "Eco warrior - Lycra clad cyclist is the REAL pain in the but - not big buses or trucks !!).
However if you DO use XP and get into trouble then its YOUR risk.
Upgrade though when YOU want - don't be dictated to by some large company edict.
(@Jonguy30 - Schools aren't interesting pickings for Hackers either - unless they are interested in unmentionable stuff for which even Jail IMO is not punishment enough -- certainly there's almost ZERO financial gain from attacking these institutions -- only the students themselves might have an interest --changing grades / getting copies of exam papers etc - these will normally be stored on secure servers anyway or should be).
Sometimes people concentrate too much on the Technical problem than thinking about what people actually DO in practice.
Cheers
jimbo
You concept of reality differs from real reality. Even though smart phones are still popular computers still get used. Viruses do not manifest themselves like they used to do so people are far less likely to realize when they do have one and they do not have an up to date AV to block or detect it for them. Schools are rich pickings; it takes a lot of money to run a school. Add to that the access that can be made to individuals who use school networks for their personal use.
Your car analogy is invalid, much like comparing apples and kumquats. Besides, at least here in the U.S., we do stop people from using older vehicles if they aren't safe or they pollute excessively. And, again, we are not discussing isolated machines here.
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Even if you have an up to date AV, it may not be able to deal with an OS vulnerability. It won't act as a virus, and may go undiscovered for quite some time. It will also never be patched, even if the AV vendors discover it. You might be fine...you might not be...
A Guy
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I have 2 family members that run XP, used to be 3 but granddaughter listened (wise girl!) and runs her netbook on Win7. I have been warning them for years about this, now both machines have had to be taken offline and switched off, as one or the other has inflicted malware on the network. Consequently, I have to buy 2 copies of Win7/64 at prices which are now much higher than the the Family Pack I could have bought say, a couple of years ago. Then I will have to format and install 7 on the two machines, which I know from past experience will harbour much dust, muck, insects, spiders and agricultural products.
So it will be a total stripdown, possibly new components, lots of blown air and Isopropyl Alcohol. All because my son and grandson do not listen. If it works, it must be OK. If it stops working, well hello dad, hello granddad, guess what?
Thinking of applying stickers when I return the computers: "Imagine I am a breathing Entity. Clean my airways."
Son cares for his car very well, but spends much more time on his PC. He could not see the relationship, but may be convinced now that his PC is dead.
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Been reading with interest the various opinions and I reckon Jimbo made the perfect comment"
"If people WANT to use stuff they are free to use it"
Free world, free choice. People get on aircraft every day, dive with sharks, scale Everest, race cars etc ..................Soooo, you wanna do it, then go for it.
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Well, I guess it's going to be the golden age of malware.....
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Been reading with interest the various opinions and I reckon Jimbo made the perfect comment"
"If people WANT to use stuff they are free to use it"
Free world, free choice. People get on aircraft every day, dive with sharks, scale Everest, race cars etc ..................Soooo, you wanna do it, then go for it.
If it only affects them, then yes, of course. But how about when they spread the infections? Become a spam spewing bot? A Guy
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Exactly. Can you say insanely large botnet? Of course, if it is not on the internet, then it does not matter. It is way less likely to affect others.