Windows XP support ending

[OGC]

I have a netbook that is probably 5 years old and is running XP. It does everything that I need, emails, torrents, internet etc. My question is, now that microsoft is ending support for XP, will my antivirus do enough to protect my computer from all of the crap that microsoft won't be issuing updates and patches for ?

[Dude!]

i have a hunch that on April 8
all computers that have xp
will freeze and all files
will be inaccessable

[KnoxHarrington]

The only risk I can see going forward is that now any security flaw in XP hackers find will not be patched, so it's going to become more and more vulnerable to attack.

[OGC]

The only risk I can see going forward is that now any security flaw in XP hackers find will not be patched, so it's going to become more and more vulnerable to attack.

Yes, this is what I mean. Is it possible that these unpatched security flaws will cause problems that anti virus software won't catch ? Or am I wrong in assuming that anti virus software can catch this type of thing ?

[KnoxHarrington]

Yes, this is what I mean. Is it possible that these unpatched security flaws will cause problems that anti virus software won't catch ? Or am I wrong in assuming that anti virus software can catch this type of thing ?

I would imagine that AV software will get updated as usual, but there are plenty of security flaws that aren't actually viruses.

This seems like a good guide to security if you can't upgrade past XP:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2102606/how-to-keep-your-pc-secure-when-microsoft-ends-windows-xp-support.html

[hanso]

Is it true that most bad stuff that is made for attacks go after the latest OS? Cast a wider net type thing?

[PapaBear]

Is it true that most bad stuff that is made for attacks go after the latest OS? Cast a wider net type thing?
With the high percentage of computers using XP (I think they said it's something crazy like 60%), I'm sure there will be plenty of new threats. I recently got a copy of 7 Home Premium from Newegg for $80 for an old computer of mine. Most of the security software companies have said they'd continue to support XP, but that probably won't last forever.

[styckx]

Being on XP after the deadline just makes you a sitting duck. If you can't afford to upgrade the OS on an old PC just grab Ubuntu and get it on there.. Preferably the LTS distro.