Anyone still using XP ?

[pmer]

I have a old HP computer running windows XP and it seems like the PC is a little off track. I have updates turned on and have AVG virus program up to date. I have been getting pop ups, had a couple trojans and I'm doing a full scan at the moment.

I know XP is not supported anymore but I didn't think things would go south so fast. The one change we made was dropping a Verison hot spot for Hughesnet satalite internet. The first week or more was good, we could stream HD videos on the PC and TV lan connection at the same time with out buffering. But the PC buffers a little watching FOX news clips now.

It seems to download stuff on its own and add/remove programs doesn't have the remove option any more. And can't system restore to a way point either.

Any tips for me? Thanks

[45 2.1]

Yes, still using XP. Some tips I got from others:
1. Don't run on the internet as the administrator. Set up a non sharing user account to do that. Easy to do.
2. Run a good anti-virus program.
3. Don't run IE, either use Firefox or the recommended Google Chrome.... both free downloads.

[pmer]

My companies laptop is still using XP too and seems fine with Chrome. Too bad Firefox is of Mozilla fame. The PC in question has Chrome on it.

A nonsharing user account for admin. I should try that.

[monadnock#5]

Yes, still running XP. We are subscribed to McAfee for security services.
I'm not knocking Google Chrome, but McAfee does Not like Google. I click on the Chrome icon to get on the web to come here and several other places. When I run a search query though, McAfee automatically shifts the search to Yahoo for processing. I don't know what it means, but thought you might be interested.

[MaryB]

Sounds like you are not logged in as an administrator... or someone reset your account access.

[OBIII]

Since you have a sat connection, connect a wireless router (or wired) between the modem and your computer. Make sure that you have the security set to max on your router, google search is your friend. Be very careful what you download, or what email you open. Bad things will not get through the router unless you do something to provide them with a back door. Continue running AVG, as Mcafee and Norton are useless, IMHO. Also there is a free program called SpyBot Search and Destroy, which can eliminate malware and spyware.
Learn about creating virtual computers within XP (free software). These "virtual machines" will prevent anything from getting to your main system (as long as you have the patience to learn how to use them.
Most versions of Linux are free, and some do an excellent job of working in place of Windows OS. I am running CentOS 6 on my box, and can do just about anything I could do on the XP box. The main reason I still have an XP box is due to some of the games I like to play with. Lots of good emulators and Windows program clones out there.
Good luck.

OB

[aspangler]

Still using XP and Chrome. here. No trouble so far but I installed AVAST antivirus free. (Download.com) It found one virus on the first pass and I have not had one show up since. It is designed for Chrome so it protects IN better.

[David2011]

Avast has been on my computers for years. It's excellent at blocking infected e-mail and warning of infected websites. The free version is IMO adequate. I'll continue to run X on one machine because my CAD program won't run on newer versions of Windows. I know how to use it so would rather maintain an XP machine than get a new CAD program along wit a new learning curve.

David

[pmer]

We do have a Linksys AC 1900 router, 3 Cat5e wired connections and use wireless for a Kindle and ipod. I'll have to log into it and see what it has for security. Thanks for the tips. The PC just has the one admin user. I went back to add/remove and it seems most items don't give the remove option. It would let me remove Google Chrome but not itunes or the ASK tool bar search program. I did go to Tools, extensions from the upper right corner and clicked it to the trash can. I tried to set everything back to Google for home screens and search engines.

A full scan found 4 threats plus those trojans. So from here I guess I'm off to look for spyware after looking at the router.

[TreeKiller]

Try
http://www.malwarebytes.org/lp/lp4/?gclid=CL6xy7WG2r0CFcdaMgodVEwAxA
Have had very good luck with it when I got the about blank redirect pages.

[waksupi]

Ya know, from what I have seen from their updates, you may be better off without them. Just run Malwarebytes or some other good gremlin catcher, and I bet it will function just fine.
Be sure to run the deep scan on the Malwarebytes a couple times a month.

[oneokie]

With a satellite conecton, what is your down load limit before the ISP chokes back your useage?

You should also run your AV and malware programs in "Safe" mode monthly.

[nhrifle]

Microsoft is discontinuing service of Win XP, which means no more updates or security patches. Might explain some issues.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/end-support-help

And you might want to check with your bank, as most ATM's are run on the XP system, and since updates are no longer available they are vulnerable to hackers and thieves.

[pretzelxx]

I run an ancient (2006) workstation that my uncle built on XP pro. Love the OS. Hated vista, like 7, hate 8. I would have put xp pro on my laptop, but they didn't offer it stock at the time and I didn't feel like spending any extra, I just wanted a laptop. Still use the workstation from time to time for bluray burning and large file storage.

[Sekatoa]

Microsoft will still provide its Malicious Software Removal Tool updates for sometime, for whatever it is worth. We still have plenty of PC 's running XP at work, but are in the midst of Windows 7 rollout. Our systems are fairly well protected from external threats from emails and malicious websites or downloads, but they are still ver able, of course. We use Symantec Endpoint 12.1.3 at the desktops as the final layer of defense.

But I would avoid using a browser that will no longer receive updates or patches, and XP has been stuck on older versions of I.E. For sometime. I have seen issues with Chrome, and at this point would recommend only Firefox or Safari as far as safety and performance go. Get rid of the Ask toolbar, or any others.. If yiu can't remove it, try in safe mode.

I'm always skeptical of the free antivirus products, especially in light of the FakeAV strains of malware which proliferate the web. But there are good ones. Use only we'll known reputable ones suck as those mentioned...Malwarebytes, for one. AVG has a great, but has its limitations. I recently told by a certified ethic hacker to avoid it...and he knows what he is talking about. I've also heard from very good sources the not only will XP be more vulnerable than other operating systems now, the number of attacks aimed at them because of this will go exponetional. It will be specifically targeted as "easy prey".

If you store ANY data on the PC, the main thing is back up your stuff often. As often as you make any charges. Back it up to,external storage, and keep several versions or separate dates....like restore points....so you don't overwrite a good back up with an infected one on your only copy.

[Sekatoa]

Excuse the typos, had a molar extracted this afternoon. Any way, should read "such as Malwarebytes" , I don't want any one to interpret my bad grammar to mean I was saying it sucked.

[smokeywolf]

All good advice here.

Kill your auto update.

Run Malwarebytes and Avast

Run a deep scan while in "safe mode" a couple of times each month.

smokeywolf

[trapper9260]

All good advice here.

Kill your auto update.

Run Malwarebytes and Avast

Run a deep scan while in "safe mode" a couple of times each month.

smokeywolf

I run those programs and clean up the problems I get and had it for sometime.I also run Disk Defragmenter and disk clean up also and take care of what ever problems that comes up.2 of my sisters had problems on there PC and they had different then XP and had them run all of these once in awhile and it took care of there problems and the PC runs better.I still have XP but will up date to a different one and will have someone set up that I can still use this PC with my new one that way I will not have many problems with the newer things that is needed to run some programs.

[pmer]

With a satellite conecton, what is your down load limit before the ISP chokes back your useage?

You should also run your AV and malware programs in "Safe" mode monthly.

They have a introductery offer of 10 gig a month for $35.00 And they have bigger packages from there. We can't get cable or DSL,

That part seems good so far but I'm learning my PC needs help. I downloaded SpyHunter before I saw Malwares Bytes was suggested and it found 493 threats.

[TXGunNut]

My ancient PC was "updated" from ME to XP years ago. It was also upgraded to the max the motherboard would support; a blazing 512 mbps. Needless to say it doesn't get on the 'net anymore but I'll keep it around to store some files and because I like the Office version it runs. It seems to have been an expensive computer almost 15 yrs ago and I don't feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of it yet.

[Lloyd Smale]

mine still xp. I thought i was still cutting edge ;)

[6bg6ga]

Mine also. Just moved from 3.11:kidding:

[badgeredd]

For those of you that are willing to try something new, I'd suggest you get a copy of Ubuntu Linux or a similar Linux OS for free. My wife who is far from computer literate has been using Ubuntu for about 8 years. No virus problems, a free office program that WILL read Microsoft Office files, no end of support issues, and often, ones computer will run faster and better than it has in years.

Just a suggestion to keep your computing safe.

Edd

[Jailer]

For those of you that are willing to try something new, I'd suggest you get a copy of Ubuntu Linux or a similar Linux OS for free. My wife who is far from computer literate has been using Ubuntu for about 8 years. No virus problems, a free office program that WILL read Microsoft Office files, no end of support issues, and often, ones computer will run faster and better than it has in years.

Just a suggestion to keep your computing safe.

Edd

I agree and recommend the same.

[popper]

pmer - check your permissions for users. I set mine so only admin gets all permissions. If set wrong, the 'remove' will disappear. Change your auto update to download and ask permission to install. Get AdAware to remove junk from the browser. AVG has decided NOT to try keeping up with mozilla changes. XP is really decent, they just want to sell 8 which hasn't gone over well. Ubuntu has pretty well taken over the Linux market and/was a contributor.

[uscra112]

Well, it's been a week now and the roof hasn't fallen in. Didja see where Micro-ripoff is going to continue security support for the several hundred thousand XP systems used by the Government? Now, isn't that nice ?

[Faret]

Well, it's been a week now and the roof hasn't fallen in. Didja see where Micro-ripoff is going to continue security support for the several hundred thousand XP systems used by the Government? Now, isn't that nice ?
Nice for them!:evil:

[Bullwolf]

I continue to use Windows XP.

Looking around I have noticed many others are still using XP as well. To name a few: The casino where I played a Keno ticket last night, (Reno Nugget), my local bank was still using XP, Best Buy Electronics stores cash register terminals were still on XP, and so was Burger King, (I noticed the Win XP logo floating on the registers screen saver) and so on.

XP hasn't exploded or anything like that just yet. If it does, I will likely just scrub it and re-install the OS. I am used to it, and I even somewhat like it.

If it isn't broken now, why should I fix it?

When the drivers for software I actually want to use are no longer being made for XP, then at that point MAYBE I will upgrade. Hopefully by then there will be a few better upgrade options around.



- Bullwolf

[pmer]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I will have to see if I can find permissions because the "remove" option is missing. I might have deleted something I shouldn't have had and messed something up. It's HP Pavillion and I just made set of recovery disks too. I tried safe mode virus cleaning and looked at admin features but couldn't find permissions. It still seems to run okay though. It has Malware bytes (now) and AVG 2013.

Dumb ? - would I still need anti virus if I switch to Ubuntu Linux? I went to their site for a quick look but will look more at it later.

[roadie]

Dumb ? - would I still need anti virus if I switch to Ubuntu Linux? I went to their site for a quick look but will look more at it later.

Not a dumb question at all.....the answer is no, there are very few viruses targeted for Linux. Also, if the Linux users don't run as administrator, (root) it's difficult for viruses to get installed to the system as permissions are needed which the user doesn't have.

There are varieties of Linux that do default to administrator as a user, but few that I know of. I don't believe Ubuntu does, although there are countless flavors of Ubuntu available. Linux is, for the most part, safe from viruses, there are just too many Microsoft machines available to the hackers and script kiddies as targets.