How to secure PC with no support for Windows XP? Any tips?

[Genesis]

So last night read up quite a bit about the cons with regard to using Windows XP when it is unsupported, as well as what one can do to minimize the risks. Came across this good article:
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/soft...s-how-you-secure-your-pc-and-save-all-updates

Any one else got tips, I'm all ears.

 

[GigaGreg]

Good anti virus and good firewall would do, also things what they've said in this article.

 

[pcallstar]

XP has been unsecure for some time, a long time. Vista/Win7 are relatively secure due to UAC's integration. Even though everyone loves the desktop dimmed out and it asking for all admin actions, it is saving your @ss. but i'm afraid for UACs end. the bug i found in a vista box a few days ago... i don't even want to talk about how slick this was for fear it will spread that much faster. :undecided:

 

[Genesis]

XP has been unsecure for some time, a long time.

Am curious - as a non-expert of course - what about Windows XP has been secure for a long time?

 

[pcallstar]

XP has been unsecure for some time, a long time.

Am curious - as a non-expert of course - what about Windows XP has been secure for a long time?

UNsecure. without a permissions system for user level runtimes, it so exploitabe. take your pick on XP exploits. UAC is why Vista/7/8 are far more, out of the box, secure. As far as that goes, it depends on what you are trying to do... is the target pc on an ISP with the physical address...is there a router to consider first, maybe 2. is this a network that is small/medium corporate level, you may have to deal with client/server setups...

hacking is relative so to speak... most attacks- you gotta earn it. XP is not just going to show you how vulnerable it is, because for the typical user, they will not earn the attention from someone that can get your @ss. IE will be the leading reason XP is more malware infected than the other win os's, and boxes running XP are generally pre dual-core. ...some of these newer boxes are impressive at how infected they are, and still booting, lol :lightbulb:

 

[Genesis]

OK, so what OS do you recommend then? What are you using?

 

[pcallstar]

OK, so what OS do you recommend then? What are you using?

That honestly depends on the setup i'm needing. (I can get pretty crazy with it, hehe) In general, my top 2 OS's are Ubuntu & openSUSE. Linux might as well be the definition of secure. I can't even find antivirus software to install

Windows real flaws in security are it's own implamentations of trying to control the end users. Blue screens are there on purpose to cover up the nessecary hardware errors and codes that the kernal dumped. If you can read it, you might be able to fix it yourself The registry is an invention to make piracy harder, forcing you to BUY software for your LEASED and OVERPRICED operating system. DLL's, lol, are the drug dealers standing by the payphone, the middle man so to speak. You write some code, you have to then pick a platform. Windows runtimes are the biggest nightmare...screw MS. ....ok sorry about the rant hehe

 

[Genesis]

OK you've got me completely sold on Linux. I'm a bit lazy for learning but have to make a concerted effort this summer to start doing that.

 

[DarknessLives]

OK you've got me completely sold on Linux. I'm a bit lazy for learning but have to make a concerted effort this summer to start doing that.

Did you start on Linux yet? Give Linux Mint a shot, it's really easy. If your determine to stick with XP, get a physical firewall, l wouldn't even trust software on XP anymore.

 

[Genesis]

XP is toast. It was good, but it was made redundant by its owner and all its hardware conspirators and I think I took it as far as it could be taken without being supported.

When I have time one day I have to give Linux a shot. I've done some basic tutorials, but realize it will take a very real learning curve which can only come through lots of experience. At most I'd also like to learn how to beat Microsoft at its game. To understand enough about updates. Also, I really didn't need 1/20th of that Monster MS Office 2013 that I downloaded last night. All I really needed were some basic Word and Excel. Maybe also PowerPoint. I wasn't warned by Microsoft what was coming. There should be a law that tells people like Microsoft that if they exceed X Gigabytes download, that they have to warn the person who is downloading it. Also give it the option to delay the download or interrupt the download as Microsoft more or less completely stopped me from getting around last night, and again this morning, while it was taking my computer over.

 

[Gauravs90]

XP is toast. It was good, but it was made redundant by its owner and all its hardware conspirators and I think I took it as far as it could be taken without being supported.

It was not made redundant by microsoft, it was made redundant by time. It's already a 15 yr old OS and was very difficult to support even by microsoft in today's rapidly changing technology. 15 yr is a very long time for an OS. Try running a 15 yr old linux.

When I have time one day I have to give Linux a shot. I've done some basic tutorials, but realize it will take a very real learning curve which can only come through lots of experience. At most I'd also like to learn how to beat Microsoft at its game. To understand enough about updates. Also, I really didn't need 1/20th of that Monster MS Office 2013 that I downloaded last night. All I really needed were some basic Word and Excel. Maybe also PowerPoint. I wasn't warned by Microsoft what was coming. There should be a law that tells people like Microsoft that if they exceed X Gigabytes download, that they have to warn the person who is downloading it. Also give it the option to delay the download or interrupt the download as Microsoft more or less completely stopped me from getting around last night, and again this morning, while it was taking my computer over.

There are many good office programs like Open Office. If you dosen't use microsoft features. They still lack features but not by that much.

 

[Genesis]

There are many good office programs like Open Office. If you dosen't use microsoft features. They still lack features but not by that much.

Only reason I'm using it is that I need Microsoft office programs for my work - so have to be able to access my work files at home. Otherwise you're obviously right, there are good and probably much more secure alternatives available and I'll definitely go for them as soon as I don't need access work files any longer.

 

[DarknessLives]

There are many good office programs like Open Office. If you dosen't use microsoft features. They still lack features but not by that much.

Only reason I'm using it is that I need Microsoft office programs for my work - so have to be able to access my work files at home. Otherwise you're obviously right, there are good and probably much more secure alternatives available and I'll definitely go for them as soon as I don't need access work files any longer.

The way l learned Linux was Google and forcing myself to use it for one month exclusively. Also, gice Google Docs a try, or whatever it's being changed into (name wise). It works for my office needs.

 

[T.Kawabata]

If you do not directly connect to internet, I mean , it is back on router, you can be almost fine.
One a month virus check would be enough.

 

[binil]

People still use XP - still think that its far better than Windows 8. Install a good AV and firewall in XP, don't use IE for browsing, use any other browser.