Link at end of copied from CNet.
I will migrate off XP but not yet. I'll be more careful.
Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, an OS still used by approximately
20-25% of Windows customers. That means one in four PC users must upgrade to
a more secure, supported version of Windows or risk their un-updated,
un-patched version of Windows XP catching a virus or other Internet bug. As
a rule of thumb, we always recommend upgrading your OS and then updating it
as often as possible to protect your system. If you're switching to a new
OS, read how to migrate easily from Windows XP. However, if you're a
die-hard who wants to keep a Windows XP machine, here are five tips for
keeping it running as safely and smoothly as possible until you upgrade.
1. Use updated browsers -- no more Internet Explorer
The latest version of Internet Explorer for Windows XP is IE 8, an
incredibly outdated browser. For security, it's better to use third-party
browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. All have promised to continue
Windows XP support for at least another year.
While you're installing a better browser, turn up your browser security.
Add-ons and extensions that disable JavaScript can prevent websites from
running malicious scripts. NoScript and Ghostery for Firefox or NotScripts
and ScriptSafe for Chrome can close the doors on many exploits.
2. Get rid of Flash, Java, and Adobe Reader
Although Flash, Java, and Adobe Reader were the mainstays of yesteryear's
Internet, with an unsupported OS they are gaping doors for hackers. Most
video sites like YouTube and Netflix uses HTML5, so there should be no need
for Flash. Java is still required for certain applications, but unless you
use those on a daily basis, there's no need for it to be installed. Lastly,
there are safer alternatives for Adobe Reader, such as Sumatra PDF, Nitro
PDF, and Foxit Reader.
3. Buy a full antivirus suite
Getting the protection of a full antivirus suite isn't a bad idea,
especially when it costs much less than upgrading to a new system.
Kaspersky, Trend Micro, F-Secure, and Norton are all good calls. You want
something heavy duty with its own firewall for the best protection. Then get
a second opinion from other scanners just to be on the safe side. The new
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is good utility to run as a second line of
defense. (The premium version is going for $20 this week)
4. Go offline or limit your account access
The surest way to stay safe is to stay off the Internet. If your Windows XP
machine's uses don't require an Internet connection (such as home theater,
playing music, or games), then disconnect. Otherwise use the limited account
privilege setting in the User Control Panel. Stay off the admin account
unless you need to update, patch, or install something. Account limitation
can be a roadblock for attackers.
5. Remove unnecessary clutter
Any programs you're not using can be a risk now that you're on an outdated
OS. Keep baggage to the bare minimum by uninstalling apps you don't need.
IObit, Revo, and Advanced Uninstaller can help. Then update whatever
applications remain. Just because Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP
doesn't mean that software developers are dropping it, too. A majority of
publishers still offer updates to their software at least for another year.
End of an era
Even though Windows XP gets no more Microsoft love, your functioning PC did
not suddenly became useless. If you practice good security and know the
limitation of the legacy OS, you can stretch out your system's life for a
little while longer. However, we do recommend that you not keep sensitive
data or perform essential tasks on your XP machine. While "unsupported"
doesn't mean automatic hacking, there will be fewer people reporting
exploits.
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57620758-12/5-tips-for-running-windows-xp-relatively-safely/?tag=rb_content;main
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cristóbal" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 2:43 PM
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
Instead of speculating about how difficult or not it may be, you could just
write or call them and ask. I only just helped my friend last month and I
believe he should be getting his system soon if not already. In his case, he
requested a larger screen since he can still somewhat see.
I believe that the Computer for the blind folks preinstall NVDA and a Jaws
demo and more or less have it set up ready for out of the box use. I'd have
to ask my friend next time I talk to him, but again, you could also ask them
as to how difficult it may be for someone in your circumstances that can't
rely on sighted help to get it up and running all by yourself. I have to
believe that there are others like you who face the same situation.
I can appreciate your difficulty, but replacing xp is going to be more and
more an inevitability sooner than later.
You could also maybe look on Craigslist or Yelp or other sites like that for
low cost tech support. Maybe even reach out to some sort of state
agency/community resource center or even a tech school and explain your
situation and see if a student could help you out with the actual physical
set up or just as a pair of eyes in case you run into problems while doing
whatever it is you need to do if you really don't' know of anyone who may
know someone who can lend you a hand for an hour or two.
-----Original Message-----
From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Gerald Levy
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 11:14 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
My biggest problem with buying a new computer or even obtaining one from the
Texas organization is that I have nobody I can count on right now to help me
set it up. Indeed, my current Dell XP workstation is so heavy and bulky
that it would require two strong bodies just to lift it off the desk where
it is now sitting. And I am reluctant to enlist the services of Geek Squad,
which I have heard nothing but horror stories about from blind computer
users on other lists, or any other tech service of dubious reliability.
Actually, I'm not so sure that it would be easy to obtain a refurbed Windows
7 computer from Computers for the Blind now anyway because they may be
experiencing overwhelming demand from other blind XP users who are looking
for an inexpensive way to upgrade to Windows 7.
Gerald
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cristóbal" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
Gerald, have you thought about reaching out to Computers for the Blind in
Texas to see about possibly upgrading to a Windows 7 machine? I know
everyone's financial circumstances are different and it isn't the easiest
thing for some folks to just go out and get a new system.
They help visually impaired people get computers with a minimum
configuration of Windows 7 for a donation of $100.00 for a desktop or
$150.00 for a laptop. I recently helped a friend who didn't have a lot of
money obtain a pc from them.
Instead of patching holes left and right and trying to come up with
creative
solutions, perhaps this could be an option?
I guess too it would depend on what version of Jaws you're on, but even
then, NVDA is free.
-----
Original Message-----
From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Gerald Levy
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 7:38 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
Somebody on another list claims that the most recent version of Avast is
not
very accessible with JAWS. The problem with installing Avast is that if
it
doesn't work out, it might be necessary to boot into safe mode to remove
it,
and of course, this cannot be done with JAWS because it does not provide
speech. So I would prefer to avoid Avast for these reasons.
Gerald
----- Original Message -----
From: "RJ" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
Just finish a scan with avast using the jaws key. No problem here.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald Levy" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:11 AM
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
The probelm with AVG and Avast is that there are questions about their
accessibility with JAWS, particularly the most recent versions. So as
an
alternative to MSE, I am considering Qihoo 360 Internet Security, which
is free and JAWS accessible , according to a few list members who have
tried it. And it has received mostly favorable reviews for ease of use
and malware detection. Can I disable MSE real-time protection and keep
it on my PC and use it only as a scanner in conjunction with another
real-time anti-virus program like 360 Internet Security? This way, I
can
go back to using MSE by re-enabling real-time protection in the event
that the alternate anti-virus program doesn't work out and has to be
uninstalled. My understanding is that the XP version of MSE can no
longer
be installed, so once I remove it, I probably wouldn't be able to
re-install it again, and for this reason, I would prefer to keep it on
my
PC as a fallback. As long as MSE real-time protection is disabled, it
should not conflict with another real-time anti-virus program. Does
this
make sense? Thanks for any advice.
Gerald
----- Original Message -----
From: "RJ" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:39 AM
Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
Why not uninstall it and go to avast or avg?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald Levy" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 8:53 AM
Subject: [JAWS-Users] MSE Now Flagging My PC Status As "At Risk"
A few days ago, I posted that the Microsoft Security Essentials icon
in
the System Tray of my XP PC was reporting its status as "potentially
unprotected". This morning, after I booted up and checked the System
Tray, the MSE icon is now reporting my PC status as "At Risk". Here
is
the message that is displayed on the MSE Home tab:
PC status: At risk
Support for this operating system has ended, which means Microsoft
Security Essentials is no longer supported and your PC is at risk. To
make
sure your PC stays
protected, click the link below to see our end-of-support guidance for
operating systems.
While it is true that support for XP itself has ended, the XP version
of MSE continues to function. I successfully updated the database
definitions manually and ran a quick scan to verify this. So if MSE
is
still working, then my PC is not really "At Risk", as the System Tray
icon reports, and I can only conclude that this is nothing less than
shameless scare mongering on the part of MS. Contrary to the message
above,reliable sources claim that support for MSE will continue
through
July, 2015. So what is really going on? Are any other MSE users who
are still running XP also getting the "At Risk" icon in their System
Tray?
Gerald
?
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