This may be OT, but then again maybe not. Economic survival is part of the big picture.

As most/all of you know, the venerable Windows XP operating system will cease to have any support, including security updates, as of April 2014.

Some estimates say that nearly 30% of networked computers, including ATMs and point-of-sale machines, still run XP and will likely continue to do so. This article, FWIW, suggests the possible vulnerabilities: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/...7918/story.html

Now, I know of some systems with extremely specialized, proprietary software that will run XP buried deep within corporate firewalls. Not really an issue.

But I suspect a lot of people on the small business and consumer side will not pay much attention until they have been compromised. Not good. Possible feeding frenzy for crooks.

Anyway, I'm curious what measures other ETS members have taken regarding this. If there's any interest, I'll post the measures I've been testing as well.

Cheers,
Doug(wa_)

The North Korean Version of Windows XP is a little difficult to get hold off, but it could become quite popular after they back engineered it and plugged up all the security holes, but using it would probably mean a knock at the door by Bill's associates and you might find yourself hanging from a tree. e.g. A: becomes C:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/bo...-windows-8.html

The old model of keeping bad things out of the network with a firewall is largely ineffective in modern "borderless" networks. With few exceptions, networks are not architected to defend against malware spreading from the inside, nor are cumbersome security measures taken to prevent malware from being brought in by laptops, thumb drives and other devices.

Embedded XP devices are going to be compromised in even greater numbers until corporations do away with them.

Just update to Windows 7. I hate Vista and Windows 8. Hopefully, I can skip those and hold out until Windows 9. I contemplate moving over to Apple IOS, but the prices keep giving me pause.

Vista was a train wreck and Windows 8 is worse. The problem for WinXP users is that Win7 won't run on most older hardware. Replacing the hardware means getting the new OS that's bundled with it, at least for most consumers. Nobody wants Win8 so WinXP soldiers on.

In embedded systems it's just as bad, as the embedded devices generally need to be completely replaced.

No need to. The same old hardware runs any modern Linux distro fine. iOS is just an annoying front end on top of BSD, you can configure window managers in Linux to look just like iOS if you really want. Its free and everything just works.

I made the switch right after buying a a laptop with XP and XP was just a less stable version of 2000.

<cough> Target </cough>

Actually it was WinCE not XPembedded IIRC

If you're buying new, you can still get Windows 7 factory installed. We just got a new desktop in at the office with it. Windows 7 on older equipment depends on your definition of older. It runs well on an HP DV1000 series laptop. It was 2-3 years old when I upgraded it from XP to Vista. It got 7 put on as soon as I ran the upgrade checker.

If you're seriously concerned about security, you don't run Windows. Period. However, most people make the choice to run Windows anyway. Some based on a feeling that they can secure it adequately, others due to plain ignorance (they don't even realize there is a threat). There is an entire high-dollar industry built around selling you stuff to "protect" your Windows computer. Everyone is allowed to make their own choices and live with the consequences of their choices. To each their own. Live and let live. Run the operating system of your choice.

As far as older WindowsXP inbedded in ATM's and other stuff, there's not much you can do to protect yourself there except to not use ATM's and other stuff when they become unsecure. I do not know if they have reached that point yet, of when they may reach that point.

The problem with switching to a free OS like Linux is 1) no support division and 2) no one to sue if there's a problem with it.