XP's retirement will be hacker heaven

"Hacker heaven"
"Zero day forever"
What's next? Armagedon?

 

XP Z: Microsoft scares Windows XP users straight with undead bug warning.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...ows_XP_users_straight_with_undead_bug_warning

https://twitter.com/gkeizer/status/368454043552587776

 

Microsoft has issued in excess of 150 patches for XP and it remains vulnerable.
Windows 7 and Windows 8 have been compromised.
I'm suggesting that the issue of MS support is overblown.

An intelligent user employing an up to date browser, virtualization, resource monitoring, and safe surfing practices is as secure as a user running Windows 7 or 8.

If you look for trouble you will find it.

Avoid known infected websites and maintain due diligence as no mouse click is unequivocally without risk regardless of the operating system.

 

The sky is falling,The sky is falling,The sky is falling,The sky is falling,

 

Well said.

In my opinion from experience, XP has had the most attention of any MS o/s past or present from security vendors to independent developers effectively giving XP the absolute best choices for solid security even without patches.

Although i avoided suggesting against patching or updating for other user's machines, i stopped completely at SP2 due to throwing every conceivable POC, vicious viruses and rootkits, as well as the dreaded hard drive killers MBR infectors in local testings because of the effectiveness from so many different choices of security XP user's had to choose from.

So while i might agree MS warnings about XP for the unlearned are status quo and standard procedure of caution,reality is if properly configured, MS statements are completely overblown.

 

Do you think I can "survive" with XP, if I just keep using my ZoneAlarm Antivirus+Firewall & returnil (protecting C: partition) ? or do I need additional help?

Thanks

 

The Risk of Running Windows XP After Support Ends April 2014

http://blogs.technet.com/b/security...of-running-windows-xp-after-support-ends.aspx

 

What browser are you using ?
It's obviously your choice, but if security is a real concern to you Internet Explorer is not- in my opinion- the best choice.
I would opt for Firefox with Adblock Plus and Flashblock. The Chrome browser also has a great reputation. Either, properly employed, should give better protection than IE.

Whichever browser you choose, I strongly recommend you run it inside of Sandboxie unless you must have an application incompatible with SBIE such as Trusteer Rapport. Even if you are using Returnil, SBIE lends another layer of protection, has low impact on system resources, and there is a freeware version.

Also consider a strong HIPS/Behavior Blocker and if you haven't already done so, take the time to learn how to properly configure your firewall.

Finally, turn off system resources you don't use but allow for outbound communication. These include but are not limited to Windows Messenger and Remote Assistance. Unless you specifically need them, they shouldn't be enabled.

That's a modest beginning.
Good luck !

Edit: I failed to mention that if you use Java or Flash, be sure to keep them fully patched as both are favorite targets for malware.

 

Undead and zombie bugs?? I had to ask what's next. Stooping to terms like these is going past overblown, bordering on childish and insulting to the users intelligence.

 

Thanks for the input!

I wasn't sure if I needed Sandboxie with Returil

Oh yeah, I forgot the browser, sorry;
Firefox with NoScript, ADBlock Plus, RequestPolicy

 

The awareness campaign is not a bad idea, because not everybody knows that starting from April next year, the XP users will no longer receive updates. But exaggerating the threat helps nobody. I'd rather see warnings like: "XP support will end, be more careful about your security" than stories about "undead bug" and "zero day forever".

But IMO, the real reason behind these articles is Microsoft pushing its new OS to users, in order to get more money. In other words, a marketing campaign.

 

Yes I think there is a lot of FUD spreading going on. I think that I'll be ok with my xp sp3 (which I like using) with Shadow Defender, Sandboxie, a firewall, an anti virus and No Autorun and a regular backup with Casper 7.0. Oh I forgot my Window Washer 3.0 (still happily using it).

 

Windows 8 is 21 times safer than XP, and 6 times safer than Windows 7

http://betanews.com/2013/08/16/windows-8-is-21-times-safer-than-xp-and-6-times-safer-than-windows-7/

Well I'm on Win 7 but 6 x 0 is still = 0