Windows xp support ending

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mikeT1967

  • #1
    I have an old laptop running windows xp and I've heard that there will be no more security updates after April 10th. I rarely use the laptop as I also have an ipad but it comes in handy for printing documents and burning cd's or if I need to transfer stuff from a flashstick. I do need to go online using it sometimes as well.

    Do I have to pay to upgrade to windows 8? I'm not even sure if my old machine is capable of that. Will it be unsafe to go online on it if I don't? I have windows security essentials and malwarebytes at the minute. I'm unsure if they will be affected by this.

    I know most people already are using more modern laptops but I've been reluctant to replace it when it still works fine. Now I feel like I'm being forced to!
     
    ServWise

    ServWise

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  • #2
    Yes you would need to pay for an upgrade, your laptop may not be able to run it though if it is very old. You could leave as is but you simply wont get new security patches, install a good firewall and antivirus and you should be okay. Alternatively you could install a free linux os, something like Lubuntu (http://lubuntu.net/) is specifically for older under-powered PCs, comes with a bunch of standard software for internet, music, video etc and is similar to windows XP.
     
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    lynxus

    lynxus

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  • #3
    "Now I feel like I'm being forced to!"

    Dont worry, As mentioned. As long as you have a firewall and a good antivirus software installed, it all should be fine.
    No need to upgrade. Just keep on working as normal.

    Might be worth backing up some important files you might have to CD or something. Just in case it breaks one day.
     
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    Adam.Vause

    Adam.Vause

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  • #4
    Not so keen on a Linux distro. But it certainly doesn't have the same attention as the Microsoft O/S's.

    It's difficult to say what will happen. Software firewalls are easy to circumvent if the end user just clicks allow to the pop-up. Not to mention a user visiting a website that infects the users machine with malware disabling your protection. You are also susceptible to a zero day attack to which no updated AV will catch.

    In an ideal world it would be best to upgrade to Windows 8 but this is not without its costs and as said it will probably not run on your hardware.

    It's up to you if you want to run the risk all I would suggest is if you don't want to upgrade then make sure you have your firewall turned on and a good paid for antivirus.
     
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    ServWise

    ServWise

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  • #6
    Yeah i'm not so keen on Linux (as a desktop) either (work requires that I know it and use it for our servers though). But a friend asked me to fix his ancient XP pc full of spyware etc which he didn't have original disks for (More than likely dodgy).

    I asked him what he wanted to use the PC for, and all he wanted was to be able to play his music and browse the internet once in a while so I found Lubuntu and it really is quite nice, Chrome / Firefox for browsing, Thunderbird for email and a built in app store to download and install other software and it looks much better than XP generally plus his PC runs much faster now too.

    He phoned me a week later and thanked me so much for installing it and he was really happy with how it worked.
     
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    Adam.Vause

    Adam.Vause

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  • #7
    lynxus said:
    What do you mean "But it certainly doesn't have the same attention as the Microsoft O/S's."
    .
    Click to expand...

    That is based on Virus statistics based on O/S. Microsoft windows has a vast market share so is more of a target for malware and viruses.

    I wonder if Linux would have the same problem if it had the attention?

    https://www.securelist.com/en/analy...ity_Bulletin_2013_Overall_statistics_for_2013

    operating-system-market-share-2013.png
     
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    lynxus

    lynxus

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  • #8
    Adam.Vause said:
    That is based on Virus statistics based on O/S. Microsoft windows has a vast market share so is more of a target for malware and viruses.

    I wonder if Linux would have the same problem if it had the attention?

    https://www.securelist.com/en/analy...ity_Bulletin_2013_Overall_statistics_for_2013

    operating-system-market-share-2013.png
    Click to expand...

    Ohhhhhhhhhhh
    I thought U meant from a support perspective.

    Yeah, Linux doesn't get targeted anywhere near as much.
    A lot of the time its down to a few things, the two biggest are.
    1 - Linux is fairly secure anyway.
    2 - It doesnt have a huge market share of home users. Im sure if that changed then far more issues will be found. Lucky though, #1 still applies.

    I personally hate Ubuntu or variants of. I just hate Debian as a whole.
    I like Fedora but it doesnt quite get the love it used to and is falling behind. Ubuntu unfortunately for me, is probably the best choice for home pc's

    Also, From a gaming perspective, you can get Steam as a native platform now, so they have a growing list of native Linux games. Or use wine.

    If Dreamweaver and fireworks worked on Linux then id move to it for my day to day works too
     
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    omkar005

  • #9
    >I have an old laptop running windows xp and I've heard that there will be no more security updates after April 10th. I rarely use the laptop as I also have an ipad but it comes in handy for printing documents and burning cd's or if I need to transfer stuff from a flashstick. I do need to go online using it sometimes as well.
    >>You can Use the windows xp without any updates

    >Do I have to pay to upgrade to windows 8? I'm not even sure if my old machine is capable of that. Will it be unsafe to go online on it if I don't? I have windows security essentials and malwarebytes at the minute. I'm unsure if they will be affected by this.
    >>You need not to pay to upgrade but you have to check weather your system supports or not.

    I know most people already are using more modern laptops but I've been reluctant to replace it when it still works fine. Now I feel like I'm being forced to!
    >> NO need to change you can use the old laptop.
     
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    tonitarzan

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  • #10
    it doesn't matter if you still have windows XP. i see some people who are not good with computer worry too much, just because Microsoft stopped supporting it doesn't mean it won't work anymore All you need to do is be extra careful, make sure your anti virus is up to date and don't open any dodgy attachments etc
     
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    Remys

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  • #13
    Yeah you should still be able to use your old laptop with XP, it's just that you wont have security updates. Yeah you're more prone to viruses, but hey, that's a risk you take. But I still recommend just picking up a new laptop or going with a linux distribution.
     
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    LeoHarris

  • #14
    I reckon all the security holes for xp and ie 6 that could exist would have been found and exploited by now and subsequently patched by service packs etc. You should be fine to continue to use the old laptop with xp. Windows 8 probably would not run because of a lack of ram and possibly HD space.
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #18
    Why is there still all this fuss about XP. It's working just fine on millions of computers around the world.
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #20
    This is a myth.

    XP is safe to connect to the internet. What isn't being pached are all the applications you use. So if you avoid IE and use a browser that is being patched you will be fine.
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #24
    Depends on what you consider to be the internet?

    Cash points use the same protocols and much of the same technology you use to connect to the internet. The main difference is they use dedicated lines and a lot more encryption but it's pretty much the same thing as you use to look at kitten gifs and buy stuff from eBay.
     
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    K

    kevinof

  • #25
    Thanks,

    If it's connected via a vpn/dedicated line to some IT group (bank or otherwise) and from there out to the Microsoft update service, then yes it's still connected to the internet. I think any system that needs security should never have a direct connection to an external network. Updates can be done off CD/USB or other media but having it connected to the net, even for a small time period, leaves it open to infection/compromise.

    I see this again and again with payment systems (think of Target in the U.S). There is no earthly reason for any payment (or cashpoint) to have any connection at any time to the public network.
     
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    KM-Tiger

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  • #26
    kevinof said:
    I think any system that needs security should never have a direct connection to an external network.
    Click to expand...
    But a cashpoint needs to look up stuff like what your balance is to let you have cash or not.

    And how exactly would online banking work?

    There is a huge difference between "a connection to an external network" and a secure (encrypted) and firewalled connection.
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #27
    kevinof said:
    There is no earthly reason for any payment (or cashpoint) to have any connection at any time to the public network.
    Click to expand...
    Who said it was a public network?

    In any case when you go the the corner shop and use your card to pay for something you are connecting to the internet, same when you buy online and every other payment portal. However, the connection to your bank (or payment provider) is encrypted and secure. The one you use to download videos to your PC isn't.
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #30
    What about it? SChannel is server side, nothing to do with the PC OS.
     
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    P

    Page

  • #32
    Stop being stupid - hardware is so cheap nowadays and you will get the cost back with increased productivity in no time
    And a techie is a techie and they enjoy and can cope with the piddling

    I currently have some XP's on one side that I was going to scrap - but now they are waiting to see if they will run windows 10 - on the assumption that there is a going to be a free lightweight version
    The problem will be drivers but I may as well give it a go
     
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