Microsoft stopping support of XP on April 8th, 2014

Lotus100 · Feb 22, 2014

Re: Microsoft stopping support of XP on April 8th, 2014. If people continue to use the XP operating system and do not upgrade to Windows 8 but do have internet security as N360 then will those who continue to use XP experience major problems?

getochkn · Feb 22, 2014

The N360 may prevent against viruses and stuff but if a new 0day exploit comes out and MS doesn't patch it, and it lets full root kernel access, it won't matter what N360 can do.

Saga Lout · Feb 23, 2014

I regard Norton products as pretty useless but in the circumstances, where you turn off Automatic Updates to prevent anything nasty turning up, even Norton may be safer than keeping Security essentials.

For folks with little or nothing to spend, the safest way to keep XP without spending huge amounts is to run it in a Virtual Machine within a Linux system. The system and the software are free.

iprodio · Feb 23, 2014

Saga Lout :

Can you tell me what would be the minimum installed memory, required for this solution to work properly?
Thanks.

Saga Lout · Feb 23, 2014

Mine is running Linux Mint Cinnamon 64 bit with 4Gb of RAM but`Linux systems will run on far less memory than that. I allocated only 20Gb of disk space to the VM and that also seems more than adequate. I only did it as an experiment and to keep the use of software I'd paid for but not kept the licence key to enable me to reinstall but I'm pleased with the result. It was fiddly work getting everything recognised and it certainly isn't an "out of the box" routine but well worth the effort anyway.

One day when I've got time to spare doing it all again if necessary, I'll parachute the Software hives from the Registry and the Programme Files folders from another XP installation and see if the VM version carries on regardless.

iprodio · Feb 24, 2014

Saga Lout :

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply. Well, how far less memory?

I have an older machine supporting a maximum of 2 GB of RAM. Is that enough?

I realize that this thread was meant to answer the security issues and I appologize for insisting on this topic, but, maybe, other people as well would benefit from this information, if they happen to come accross it.

Saga Lout · Feb 24, 2014

In my opinion, 2Gb is more than adequate to run any Linux system I've ever used and sufficient to run the Virtual Machine.

There will be good advice on working through this project over at the Linux sub-Forum of Tom's:- http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/forum-50.html

iprodio · Feb 24, 2014

Saga Lout :

Thanks again for your help.

Lotus100 · Feb 24, 2014

getochkn :

What does it mean: "...lets full root kernel access"?

Saga Lout · Feb 24, 2014

Messes up the whole system from the ground upwards.

getochkn · Feb 24, 2014

I would almost guarantee that there hackers that a bunch of exploits in XP they haven't released yet and are waiting till there is no more support to use them. No sense in letting them out now if MS could still patch them. After support ends, there will be a flood of new ways into the system that weren't released before and won't be patched.

david_gary · Mar 9, 2014

Many companies have started to support XP system, since there is still a bunch of computers running on this OS.

Lotus100 · Mar 9, 2014

david_gary

Well, I marked this question solved, but just got a follow up on the thread. Not a problem. However, I have two questions (probably more, but 2 for now):

Name "many companies"? How reliable are they? And what are your sources? (Okay, I know, that was 3 questions.)

Gee...you people are the best!

david_gary · Mar 14, 2014

Lotus100 :

“Many companies” refers to Microsoft China, Tencent, Baidu and many other Chinese Internet security vendors. Presently, there are many Windows XP users in China. Before the user upgrade to a new operating system, they will continue to provide unique security for China’s XP users.

Just search "xp china" on Google and you'll get more information.

Saga Lout · Mar 14, 2014

I'm no racist so don't bother trying to turn these remarks in anti-anything, but I have no intention of letting the Chinese take any part in my computer/internet security. It's a well established fact that a high percentage of hacking emanates from that country.

Lotus100 · Mar 15, 2014

Thank you for the information:
XP China ... Humm, I'm wondering how reliable?
Saga Lout... Perhaps the moderator has a solid point to consider here.
The forced expense to purchase another computer system is not really something many want, but like insurance it must be considered a necessary evil! I sure wish things didn't have to be this way.

david_gary · Mar 20, 2014

Saga Lout :

Obviously, XP China is only for Chinese users. After all, in China, there are a lot of XP users. In China, the government has not put enough emphasis on intellectual property and network security. Therefore, piracy and hacking are rampant. I have also suffered from hacking and lost $500. However, these issues are being processed and moving forward in the right direction. I’m very envious of America’s entrepreneurial environment, people with good knowledge and ability can better play to their talents.

sdfox 7 · Mar 22, 2014

If you think the Target and Neiman Marcus data security breaches were bad, wait until Microsoft stops patching Windows XP on April 8.

Microsoft stopping support of XP on April 8th, 2014

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