Heads up Windows XP users

[Figuremod73]

Starting in April support for Windows XP ends, so if your using the dinosaur operating system like me (on two computers, no less) be a little more cautious as it will become more vulnerable.

http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240181208/What-to-do-next-Windows-XP-end-of-support

[ubermanx]

The deadline is not as bad as some folks make it sound because XP has been insecure for some time now.

Windows XP has been receiving the bare minimum of bug fixes and patches for over a year.

There are security bugs in IE6 that have never been fixed. IE8 is the newest version on XP while newer versions of Windows get IE11.

Do yourself a favour and switch to a Windows 7 computer (or a Mac if you drink the Apple Kool Aid). It will be faster and way more secure. And stay away from "free" software. Nothing is free. You'll just get a stupid toolbar, fake antivirus or advertising malware for your trouble.

- Marty

[jwyblejr]

Most hackers go after the newer OS like Windows 7 or 8. My guess is they see those as a better challenge than say something that's older like XP.

[megoapesnut]

(or a Mac if you drink the Apple Kool Aid)

(or a Mac if you actually want a better computer)
(or a Mac if you don't want to worry as much about viruses, spam and all that crap)

or stick to your Windows piece of crap if you have already drowned in the Microsoft Kool Aid

[HardyGirl]

Right now my dinosaur is a Windows XP and the laptop is a Windows 7. I'm not too worried though.

[skid14]

vista rules!!! lol

[ubermanx]

And there is the Kool Aid talking now ...

Don't get me wrong, I like OSX and I have an iPad. I am no Apple hater but Apple is not all it is cracked up to be.

Just type in Apple Hack or Apple Exploit into a search engine. OSX is indeed less prone to a genuine virus but most threats out there are not viruses but malicious software and exploits.

If you look with an open eye you will see hackers do not discriminate. They will go after any exploit they can find.

- Marty

(or a Mac if you actually want a better computer)
(or a Mac if you don't want to worry as much about viruses, spam and all that crap)

or stick to your Windows piece of crap if you have already drowned in the Microsoft Kool Aid

[Figuremod73]

Vista is what I use on my gaming pc. I might consider updating my internet comp (a dell pent. 4 with a few years left in it), but I'm not sure if my little acer notebook could even handle anything eles. It comes in handy for quick serfing or reading a ebook.

People going back and forth over which systems best is always humorous. Its been going on since the apple II, C-64, TRS-80, and IBM clones. Anything is great as long as you get your moneys worth out of it. I've been using M$ since DOS and have rarely had a chance to play with the Macs. I enjoyed what little chance I got in using them, they're just to steep in price for me. I enjoy Kool-Aid in many flavors i guess is what im sayin'

[Splitty]

egads. If they hacked my computer all they'd get is a bunch of toy pics.

[ubermanx]

PWN2OWN - OSX computer was the first to get hacked into at one of these "white hat" hacker conventions. Pleanty of other examples.

At our shop if someone brings in an infected Windows 7 computer it is usually with a whack of malware toolbars and search hijackers. Take less than an hour to clean.

Windows XP computers usually have all that, fake antivirus software and rootkits. We usually tell those customers to wipe and reload XP. Its faster than cleaning.

What is Windows Vista?

- Marty

[drquest]

Honestly XP isn't a bad OS, and if you use a modern browser, and keep your antivirus up to date, and use a hardware firewall, you're not going to find yourself being hacked into oblivion.

That being said, I have an XP computer at my work that I use regularly, 3X windows 7 desktops, 2X windows 7 laptops, and two Apple Macbooks, one Pro and one Air. I've been around the horn so to speak on computers for many many years, and I will go out of my way to use my Macbooks daily because they are just wonderful to use. OSX has some differences from the Microsoft world, but it's worth it to me.

If you are prone to clicking on links you shouldn't from your email, and download stuff you shouldn't and go to web sites you shouldn't be going to, no modern OS is going to protect you. If you insist on doing stuff like that, consider running a virtual machine, on top of your real one. If something crashes and burns on it, all you have to do is delete the image and start a new one. Most of them are free to use and pretty cool to tinker with.

[megoapesnut]

And there is the Kool Aid talking now ...

I usually am a big fan of live and let live (i.e. use what you like). However, it's idiot comments like this that get me all riled up. Just because I happen to like a certain piece of hardware, doesn't mean I "drink the kool aid". I have been using computers since your momma was changing your diapers and wiping your nose. I work on them 10 hours a day and I know what works well and gives me minimal problems and I know what is a pain in the ***. You like Windows because it gives you job security. I get that. If wherever you work used all Macintosh, they wouldn't need you anymore. I have no problem with that. But don't pretend it's a better OS BECAUSE of that. I can tell you that the Macs we have where I work all run flawlessly with extremely little needed in the way of IT help. The Windows PC (problem computer - piece of crap) computers need constant attention, updating, fixing, etc. I have been using my Mac Pro for 6 years now without once having to worry about updating my virus software, fixing anything, etc. The oldest PC we have is 2 years old and it's about ready to get thrown out the door with all the problems it has. The boss has gone through 4 PCees in the time I have had mine. I had a friend bring me an Apple laptop a few months ago and asked me to get some files off cause he couldn't figure out how to. He couldn't figure it out cause it was a SCSI interface with no networking and had only a floppy drive. It is almost 20 years old and it runs like the day he took it out of the box and he NEVER once had to fix or update anything on it. Find me a PC you can say that about and I'll give in.

If you look with an open eye you will see hackers do not discriminate. They will go after any exploit they can find.

Yeah, well I got news for you. Hackers go after whatever exploit is going to rake in the most idiots. They don't bother with Macs cause there are tons more Windows machines out there. That want the biggest bang for their buck. The last time I had to worry about a virus or hack on any of our Macs was about 15 years ago. The PCees are constantly getting nailed. The fact of the matter is that my computer just friggin WORKS. I don't have to spend half my time cleaning it out. I don't need to "drink the Kool Aid" and listen to what other people say. I have proven results if front of me every day. And I have had them for closing in on 30 years. nuff said.

[jwyblejr]

Maybe I'll go back to a Commodore PET.

[Figuremod73]

Maybe I'll go back to a Commodore PET.

The Commodore 128 could do pretty much anything I need.

[megotastic]

justchange to a different os if necessary- surely a decent anti virus will stop anything serious anyway.