Windows XP RIP

[JourneyOfLife]

The last day that Microsoft will support Windows XP is rapidly approaching. Micrsoft continues to warn Win XP users about the potential for security problems and urges them to upgrade to a supported version of Windows.

Here are a couple of recent articles on the issue.

Windows XP: What to Do When Microsoft Ends Its Support - WSJ.com (http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304747404579445800901503252?mg=ren o64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB1000 1424052702304747404579445800901503252.html)


Avast: Windows XP users already attacked 6 times more often than Windows 7 users (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2109144/avast-windows-xp-users-already-attacked-6-times-more-often-than-windows-7-users.html)


What are your plans for your old Windows XP Computer?

[Kahuna32162]

I intend to keep it in a dual boot senerio to support non comparable devices and software.

[Golfingnut]

It was genius when it came out. Hurray to the Bill G staff.

[zcaveman]

When my desktop goes into the shop it is a life saver.

I will continue to use XP for my backup until the laptop dies.

I don't use it that much now. I keep it updated with the Norton fixes and MS fixes. It will be less to update after the death date.

Z

[Daveinfl]

I already installed Linux on an older system I did not want to sit and collect dust. I can surf, email, youtube pretty much everything a xp system could do and it is much harder to get a virus/spyware on it so it stays fast! I have installed it on other machines for other people and so far they love it! oh by the way, the operating system is free! Have a great day, Computer Dave.

[2BNTV]

Arguably, the best platform Microsoft put out. IMHO

April 2014, should be the cut-off point and if users want to upgrade, then you be better off buying a newer system, rather than tryiing to upgrade. IMHO

[JourneyOfLife]

I already installed Linux on an older system I did not want to sit and collect dust. I can surf, email, youtube pretty much everything a xp system could do and it is much harder to get a virus/spyware on it so it stays fast! I have installed it on other machines for other people and so far they love it! oh by the way, the operating system is free! Have a great day, Computer Dave.

I took the same approach on an old laptop of mine. Tested it for a few months off and on. Then started using it full-time.

I am running the firewall (gufw (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gufw)) and the antivirus (clamav (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ClamAV)/calmtk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clam_AntiVirus#Graphical_interfaces)) on it.

ClamAV is not a real-time scanner, so there isn't much overhead unless a file scan is running. One can schedule periodic scans of the file system.

[eremite06]

95% of bank ATMs run on XP. Vulnerable to hackers. What are the banks going to do?

[JourneyOfLife]

95% of bank ATMs run on XP. Vulnerable to hackers. What are the banks going to do?

Too complicated to post... you can read this article about it.

Most ATMs will remain on Windows XP after Microsoft pulls plug on OS support - Computerworld (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9247072/Most_ATMs_will_remain_on_Windows_XP_after_Microsof t_pulls_plug_on_OS_support_)

There are Banks and Financial Institutions...

Then there are also independently owned and operated ATMs

http://www.ffiec.gov/bsa_aml_infobase/pages_manual/olm_069.htm

[JourneyOfLife]

An article about ATMs using Windows XP.

It cites potential risk with some independently owned ATMs!!!!!

FORTUNE:
While major retailers and banks are likely to be well-prepared for the end of XP, financial systems based on the software are also in the hands of a far-reaching hodgepodge of independent ATM operators and small businesses. Despite ample warning, industry analysts and insiders agree that high cost and inconvenience will keep plenty of these smaller players running outdated software for many months to come -- with serious implications for the security of their systems.

Windows XP's retirement could put ATMs and more at risk - Fortune Tech (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/31/as-windows-xp-retirement-nears-businesses-weigh-upgrade-risks/?iid=SF_T_River)

[Computer Corner]

If you're running an XP machine, it's probably the best idea to upgrade. However, it seems you folks are pretty savvy ;)

As always, if you have questions about upgrading or getting a new computer shoot us a message or give us a call and we'll be happy to assist.

[patches46]

Is there anyone out there that is willing to work on an XP system repair???

[rjm1cc]

If you are not on the internet you do not have a problem.

[skyguy79]

Is there anyone out there that is willing to work on an XP system repair???Yes and his post was the one just before yours, but I would be surprised if they didn't advise you upgrade. I've used them a couple of times, was very satisfied and will continue to use them in the future.

[TVMayor]

If I have Norton, Malwarebytes and a secure network is my XP likely to be violated? Over the years Norton and Malwarebytes have notified me they have caught an intruder. XP never. I also have a Windows 8 machine which I prefer to 7. I talk to people who have never used 8 and just hate it. Bottom line I think Windows is trying to scare XP users into 8 buyers.

[Computer Corner]

TVMayor, if you have good security measures and safe browsing habits you don't have much to worry about. However, it is true that Windows XP is going to begin seeing viruses that abuse the fact that Microsoft will never be updating again. Any vulnerability found in XP at this point will never be covered. If you want to save yourself a headache of getting viruses removed it would be best to just pay the cash to upgrade to a new operating system or get a new machine altogether.

Moral of the story: Upgrade to a newer version of Windows.

See here for more info, if you're interested:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2013/08/15/the-risk-of-running-windows-xp-after-support-ends.aspx

[JourneyOfLife]

Some info relevant to those hanging on to WinXP.

Windows XP users are getting their first taste of life without security updates after the discovery of a major flaw within the Internet Explorer Web browser. Microsoft issued a warning regarding the flaw this weekend, saying it affects Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11. The vulnerability makes it possible for hackers to take control of a user's computer after it has been infected with malicious code.

The bug was discovered by FireEye, a security firm, which said hackers are sending out emails with links to websites that contain malicious code. If a user clicks on a link to one of these websites while using Internet Explorer, it is likely that hackers will gain control of their machine.

For now, security experts advise that Windows users avoid Internet Explorer until Microsoft issues a patch for the problem, which will likely happen on May 13. But that patch will not protect users of Windows XP.

That's because Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP earlier this month. After 13 years of maintaining Windows XP, Microsoft said it would no longer issue security updates for the popular operating system.

Microsoft warns of major Internet Explorer bug; no fix for Windows XP - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-microsoft-internet-explorer-bug-windows-xp-20140428,0,6544915.story?track=rss)

[zcaveman]

Some info relevant to those hanging on to WinXP.



Microsoft warns of major Internet Explorer bug; no fix for Windows XP - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-microsoft-internet-explorer-bug-windows-xp-20140428,0,6544915.story?track=rss)

Which is why I will make Firefox the default browser on my XP machine tomorrow.

But since IE is not part of windows I wonder why they will not update the IE that runs on XP. Some people running windows might be running that level of IE on a non XP system.

Z

[CFrance]

I don't understand why it is going to take Microsoft two weeks to come up with a patch for the IE bug.

I don't use IE, but my husband does. However, we never open email links. Should he stop using IE till the patch comes out?

[zcaveman]

I don't understand why it is going to take Microsoft two weeks to come up with a patch for the IE bug.

I don't use IE, but my husband does. However, we never open email links. Should he stop using IE till the patch comes out?

For what it is worth:

Governments urge Internet Explorer users to switch browsers until fix found.

Governments urge Internet Explorer users to switch browsers until fix found | ZDNet (http://www.zdnet.com/governments-urge-internet-explorer-users-to-switch-browsers-until-fix-found-7000028869/?s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61)


Z

[zcaveman]

Which is why I will make Firefox the default browser on my XP machine tomorrow.

But since IE is not part of windows I wonder why they will not update the IE that runs on XP. Some people running windows might be running that level of IE on a non XP system.

Z

Microsoft released a fix for the zero day problem for XP. If you run Windows Update on your XP system you will find a fix for IE.

Microsoft had to patch Windows XP | ZDNet (http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-had-to-patch-windows-xp-7000029008/?s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61)

Z

[CFrance]

Thank you, thank you! My old workhorse Dell Inspiron laptop, which runs XP and which I keep around for backup, is happily burbling away, installing the update.