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Attention Windows XP Users
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:26 am
by db5
Bad News
According to a 10/30/13 article in USA Today Windows XP users are six times more likely to be hacked than Windows 7 or 8 users. And the really bad news is that 31% of all computers that access the internet have the XP operating system. And the really, really bad news is that on April 8, 2014 all security support for XP will end. This opens up every user to hackers. Worldwide 252 million computers run on XP. It’s not that Microsoft is trying to force people to upgrade to 7 or 8; it just costs too much to continue supporting an old OS. Thirteen years is a long time.
Here’s a quote: “Every time Microsoft issues new security patches for Windows 7 or 8, which it does on the first Tuesday of each month, hackers will get a list of fresh, never-to-be-patched security holes in XP machines still in use.”
Now is the time to start looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade. Check the internet for prices but be very careful as there are a lot of scammers selling on places such as eBay. Newegg.com has the 32 bit package for $99. Amazon wants more. The prices are likely to go up as XP users decide to upgrade and certainly the scammers will come out of the woodwork.
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:49 am
by dusty
db5 wrote:Bad News
According to a 10/30/13 article in USA Today Windows XP users are six times more likely to be hacked than Windows 7 or 8 users. And the really bad news is that 31% of all computers that access the internet have the XP operating system. And the really, really bad news is that on April 8, 2014 all security support for XP will end. This opens up every user to hackers. Worldwide 252 million computers run on XP. It’s not that Microsoft is trying to force people to upgrade to 7 or 8]
Here’s a quote: “Every time Microsoft issues new security patches for Windows 7 or 8, which it does on the first Tuesday of each month, hackers will get a list of fresh, never-to-be-patched security holes in XP machines still in use.”
Now is the time to start looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade. Check the internet for prices but be very careful as there are a lot of scammers selling on places such as eBay. Newegg.com has the 32 bit package for $99. Amazon wants more. The prices are likely to go up as XP users decide to upgrade and certainly the scammers will come out of the woodwork.
In the mean time, keep your XP up to date. Install the security upgrades as they become available.
I have one computer that I am keeping that way. When April 14 comes, I will simply take that computer "OFF LINE" to reduce its susceptibility. It works well for what I use it for - it is my CAD and Sketchup machine.
I do NO searching of the internet with that machine. In fact, come April, I will give serious consideration to eliminating its internet functionality.
Personal Comment: As far as I am concerned, Windows 7 and later offer me very little that I feel like I need. In fact, I still have a Toshiba laptop that is loaded with Windows 95. It works well for what it is. Old and Too Heavy like me.
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:17 pm
by Ed in Tampa
My computer does have enough umph to run Windows 7 and most new computers have windows 8.
I won't run Windows 8 so my choices are
Stay where I'm at and hope.
Go to Apple
Be really stupid buy a Windows 8 machine and pay Microsoft for Windows 7 rewarding them for making a really terrible Windows 8 and downgrade my new computer.
The more I hear the more going to Apple looks like the best option. Especially when you consider Microsoft's new pricing for Office. That to me is a total rip off.
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:22 pm
by reddog5362
I've mostly stayed out of this since I only use Windows when forced too by work. I switched to a Mac about 7 years ago and really like how trouble free the OS has been.
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 3:11 pm
by dusty
Ed in Tampa wrote:My computer does have enough umph to run Windows 7 and most new computers have windows 8.
I won't run Windows 8 so my choices are
Stay where I'm at and hope.
Go to Apple
Be really stupid buy a Windows 8 machine and pay Microsoft for Windows 7 rewarding them for making a really terrible Windows 8 and downgrade my new computer.
The more I hear the more going to Apple looks like the best option. Especially when you consider Microsoft's new pricing for Office. That to me is a total rip off.
You do experience more than your share of bad situations, don't you.
Why is that?:rolleyes:
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 6:10 pm
by Ed in Tampa
dusty wrote:You do experience more than your share of bad situations, don't you.
Why is that?:rolleyes:
I don't think so I think my life is pretty good.
I just wish I had moved to new machine when windows was the operating system of choice.
However I think Apple may be better suited to my wants and desires so maybe I did myself a favor.
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 10:17 pm
by db5
I still can't throw out a screw, nut or bolt and I have more junk than I know what to do with.
I can't quite agree with all of this. I still can't throw out a screw, although they are becoming fewer and far between and I can't remember when or if I ever threw one out. Nut? Well, I still have two. Bolt? Haven't done that in 50 years when I got caught where I shouldn't have been. That was before I decided never to throw out a screw. I still have all my junk but the TSA better not touch it. You saw the video. However, I still know what to do with it if I could only find that screw - the one I threw out.
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:46 am
by derekdarling
Ed in Tampa wrote:My computer does have enough umph to run Windows 7 and most new computers have windows 8.
I won't run Windows 8 so my choices are
Stay where I'm at and hope.
Go to Apple
Be really stupid buy a Windows 8 machine and pay Microsoft for Windows 7 rewarding them for making a really terrible Windows 8 and downgrade my new computer.
ff.
So, you still drive a 40-year old car because GM's prices for new ones are too high? Just askin'
Derek
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 8:40 am
by dusty
db5 wrote:Bad News
According to a 10/30/13 article in USA Today Windows XP users are six times more likely to be hacked than Windows 7 or 8 users. And the really bad news is that 31% of all computers that access the internet have the XP operating system. And the really, really bad news is that on April 8, 2014 all security support for XP will end. This opens up every user to hackers. Worldwide 252 million computers run on XP. It’s not that Microsoft is trying to force people to upgrade to 7 or 8]it just costs too much to continue supporting an old OS. Thirteen years is a long time. [/B]
Here’s a quote: “Every time Microsoft issues new security patches for Windows 7 or 8, which it does on the first Tuesday of each month, hackers will get a list of fresh, never-to-be-patched security holes in XP machines still in use.”
Now is the time to start looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade. Check the internet for prices but be very careful as there are a lot of scammers selling on places such as eBay. Newegg.com has the 32 bit package for $99. Amazon wants more. The prices are likely to go up as XP users decide to upgrade and certainly the scammers will come out of the woodwork.
I don't know. What are the real costs of maintaining the OS? The problems, except for security issues, have all been resolved and if they have not, what remains is could be ignored.
It is like so many other things. If something new (like touch screen) is offered, many will suddenly need touch screen and sales boom. Cell phones are another fine example.
I bought a cell phone so that I could communicate when I was away from my land line. It is several years old and it still fullfills that function. What I cannot do is receive and send text messages and access the internet.
One of these days, I'll either break my cell phone or lose it and then I'll have to bust for a replacement device. Naturally, I won't be able to buy a "simple cell phone". They are no longer supported.
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 9:20 am
by robinson46176
What? Nobody has said the magic word yet? I will...
Ta-da!!!
Linux...
Well supported and free. I've been running Linux for years and will never go back.
My wife's new laptop is still running Windows 8 and she hates it... I need to get it switched over for her. I'll install Ubuntu dual boot so the Windows will still be there if needed for some special program.
.