Windows XP No-Support Deadline Has Arrived -- Ignore At Your Peril

[jimbo45]

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

 

[iTroubleshooter]

Security updates!! Oh c'mon ... why these anti virus exist then??

 

[jimroad471]

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

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

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.

 

[A Guy]

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

 

[Bertison]

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.

 

[lffoar]

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.

 

[Computer0304]

Well, I guess it's going to be the golden age of malware.....

 

[A Guy]

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

 

[andrew129260]

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.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Well, I guess it's going to be the golden age of malware.....

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

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.

 

[jimbo45]

Well, I guess it's going to be the golden age of malware.....

If it only affects them, then yes, of course. But how about when they spread the infections? Become a spam spewing bot? A Guy

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.

Hi there

If YOUR computers are properly protected I don't think you need worry about Spam bots from old XP machines. !!

Spam bots are more likely to appear when you try and download software - and with the incredible (DELIBERATE) policy of a lot of download sites which make the download almost impossible to find and often riddled with toolbars / download installers / helpers and other junk you are much more likely to get infected from these places.

Recently a fairly knowledgeable colleague managed to get the notorious BUBBLE DOCK program installed while trying to download a perfectly legitimate program This thing would pass through most virus checkers but it is incredibly difficult to get rid of --it looks as if it's gone but it still is deep in the system. I gave up in the end and re-installed windows on his computer.

Bubble Dock by Nosibay - Should I Remove It?


Cheers
jimbo

 

[andrew129260]

That is the point jimbo- They cannot be properly protected. There is no such thing anymore for XP. If you can't get holes patched in an OS, then you cannot be properly protected.

And if our machines are properly protected that does nothing against massive email spam bots, denial of service attacks, etc. There are attacks that computers can work together on that would not even touch the actual machines that are patched, but can cause havoc.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there.

The guy was actually running W7 with the latest updates all installed !!! (probably running W8.1 wouldn't have helped him either) - most software download sites are so riddled (intentionally) with obfuscation and confusion to say nothing of loads of green arrows for downloads that I'm surprised there aren't more people having problems with this stuff.

I have to say that the Bubble Dock thingy was the WORST piece of adware / popup ware that I'd ever seen in nearly 40 years of using PC's !!!. And it seemed to ignore adblock or other popup blockers at will.

If it weren't so annoying I'd almost admire the writer of it !!!!

I tend to run Windows these days as Virtual Machines from Linux hosts so if one becomes a problem I simply delete it and power on another VM (you are allowed to make as many "clones" as you like provided you only have ONE running at any one time).

Note though Linux isn't totally virus free either as some android phone users might have seen - but it's inherently easier to keep it safe.

Ms does the best it can - so I'm in no way anti-windows -- it's just with modern hardware there are other ways of running windows safely - and if you DO get into trouble it's relatively easy to start again.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[redblade8]

I've heard that eol for embedded windows xp is 2016. Screw mcdonalds & etc. Their support should either be ending now, or windows xp's support be extended to 2016 also. There shouldn't be any exceptions, none. But I guess microsoft doesn't want to upset the big corporations..and this shows how very little microsoft cares about its consumers actually.

They gave you 13 years of free support for a one time purchase of maybe $100 or less. I'm not sure what world you live in, or what your manufactures typically do. But in the real world a manufacturer sells you a product and then charges you for support. Most software requires an expensive subscription and if you buy a car, you unusually have to pay for your own maintenance for 13 years.

those big corporations you mention pay MS for the extended support. If you pay MS, they will do the same for you.

Feel free to start you own company and develop an OS and sell it for a few bucks and provide 20 years of free service.

That isn't the point though. I don't care if they're paying ms or not, their support ends now, or everything is extended until then. I have to be rich to keep running windows xp is what you're saying? Oh, the rich are paying to keep running another form of windows xp and receive support until 2016. The consumers aren't paying..so screw them, we end support now because we don't care about our consumers that bought our os a whiles ago. We only care about making money. Sure, a business would want to make money, but it still doesn't justify anything, or seem fair to me. Screw their support, they're big companies, they can handle it, they can buy the next level up in embedded systems. Ms doesn't have to cater to them until 2016. Cater to one, cater to all.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I've heard that eol for embedded windows xp is 2016. Screw mcdonalds & etc. Their support should either be ending now, or windows xp's support be extended to 2016 also. There shouldn't be any exceptions, none. But I guess microsoft doesn't want to upset the big corporations..and this shows how very little microsoft cares about its consumers actually.

They gave you 13 years of free support for a one time purchase of maybe $100 or less. I'm not sure what world you live in, or what your manufactures typically do. But in the real world a manufacturer sells you a product and then charges you for support. Most software requires an expensive subscription and if you buy a car, you unusually have to pay for your own maintenance for 13 years.

those big corporations you mention pay MS for the extended support. If you pay MS, they will do the same for you.

Feel free to start you own company and develop an OS and sell it for a few bucks and provide 20 years of free service.

That isn't the point though. I don't care if they're paying ms or not, their support ends now, or everything is extended until then. I have to be rich to keep running windows xp is what you're saying? Oh, the rich are paying to keep running another form of windows xp and receive support until 2016. The consumers aren't paying..so screw them, we end support now because we don't care about our consumers that bought our os a whiles ago. We only care about making money. Sure, a business would want to make money, but it still doesn't justify anything, or seem fair to me. Screw their support, they're big companies, they can handle it, they can buy the next level up in embedded systems. Ms doesn't have to cater to them until 2016. Cater to one, cater to all.

Using your "logic", automobiles, televisions, toasters, refrigerators, etc. would all have lifetime warrantees with full, free repair support. M$ said from the word go that XP would be supported for only ten years, then extended it for two more years after that. I thought that was more than generous. What the heck more do you want?

And yes, M$ cares about making money. So do their shareholders. So what? That's the whole purpose of M$; it isn't a charity. The people working for the company have to support their own bad habits—food, transportation, shelter, etc. If M$ doesn't make money, then M$ will cease to exist. What you are demanding is akin to expecting an automobile manufacturer to provide free repairs and maintenance for the rest of your life for free. Life isn't a free ride, buddy. No one owes you squat so build a bridge and get over it.

 

[andrew129260]

redblade8

Its ridiculous to think you should keep getting support for a decade old operating system.

 

[jimbo45]

redblade8

Its ridiculous to think you should keep getting support for a decade old operating system.

Hi there

and if you DO then YOU should pay for it !!!!

I can't understand the whole logic of some people on these posts -- they don't seem to have ANY trouble replacing technology very quickly when it becomes obsolete -- who uses Cassette recorders, iPods, or CRT TV's / monitors any more - and things like the DVD player are going the way of the Dodo. People also replace computers quite quickly too.

Some of us even play 1000's of dollars, roubles, euros, pounds etc for NEW cars even when the old one STILL works perfectly.

Why are we so attached to a relatively old piece of computer software when it could be changed quite easily for not a hideous amount of money - and if you STILL want to run it - why not - then do so but understand the limitations and isolate it from the Internet --- you wouldn't want to drive a Traction Engine for example on the Freeways around LA but there's nothing to stop you driving one of these old lovely Steam vehicles on a back road or piece of ground.

And BTW some of us with really old cars expect (and do) pay more if these need servicing / parts as parts have to be individually manufactured and the servicing becomes essentially "Non standard". Should be the same with an OLD OS if you still want to run it in "modern company" -- I.e on the net etc.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[HerrKaLeun]

Redblade8

its ridiculous to think you should keep getting support for a decade old operating system.

hi there

and if you do then you should pay for it !!!!

I can't understand the whole logic of some people on these posts -- ......

Cheers
jimbo

+ 1000000000

 

[FerchogtX]

Well, I have to say that, until Windows 7 appeared, XP was the most stable OS I've used in years... yeah, SP0, SP1 were kinda atrocious, but SP3 gave the full stability, besides new hardware getting along way better with it...

Now, if we talk about nowadays hardware:
- XP has limitations with newer hardisks and great sizes, something similar Windows 9x had to face
- XP cannot handle multi-core processing quite well
- XP has limitations with RAM capacity (3GB max) unless we talk about XP 64, but still inferior to modern OSes
- XP may exhibit problems with newer GPU's, and even won't use all of its features, because it lacks most DX runtime updates

I still have my desktop with XP dualbooting with 7... just because my REALLY old scanner (parallel port) won't work on 7... and VWware Player is just too slow with that XD... But... let's face it, Windows 7 superceeded XP long time ago, it's fast, stable, compatible with most hardware, handles multiprocesing properly... and looks soo nice!... I stopped using XP years ago...

XP now is retired, let the OS have it's vacation...