Windows XP users face end to Microsoft support
Source: BBC
Support for the venerable Windows XP operating system ends this Tuesday.
It means that there will be no more official security updates and bug fixes for the operating system from Microsoft.
Some governments have negotiated extended support contracts for the OS in a bid to keep users protected.
Security firms said anyone else using the 13-year-old software would be at increased risk of infection and compromise by cyber-thieves.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26884167
= new reply since forum marked as read
heh, heh.
hee, hee.
whoo, whoo.
HA HA!
HA HA HA HA HA! 
whew! Sorry, that was too much!
And a Win 95 machine. I use the dos machine for eprom burning and old school Motorola radio programming. Plus i still like the original Doom...
...that isolating the computer is also an effective way to deal with a malware threat. But this also relies on physical control over the machine:
On Thinkpad laptops and a couple other brands there is a switch (usually called "airplane mode"
that physically deactivates the wireless hardware in the laptop. So if you don't have a wired network plugged into it, you can keep the laptop from continuing to upload information or attacking other computers in the vicinity.
On Macbooks (and most other Windows laptops) you tell the wireless cards to turn off through software commands using the keyboard or pointer. So, again, there is no assurance that an infected/hacked computer won't simply pretend to turn wireless off just as it can pretend to shut down.
Response to Bosonic (Original post)
Response to Bosonic (Reply #27)
Note that word "did".
Dead and gone within 2 weeks. 
To Our Valued Online Banking Customers:
Upgrade
Are you prepared for the end of Microsoft support?
Have you upgraded your operating system yet?
Time is running out!
As of April 8, 2014, Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows XP, Office 2003, and Exchange Server 2003. Without critical updates, your PCs could be vulnerable to malicious software. To ensure you remain on a supported version of Windows and Office, you need to upgrade.
Running Windows XP and Office 2003 in your environment after their end of support date may expose you to potential risks, such as:
- Software Issues
- Downtime
- Security Risks
To avoid these risks and others, visit Microsoft’s website for further instruction and information.
***********
I'd like to send them a message back to the two-bit bank requesting that they purchase a new computer for me to use so I'll be "secure".
Luckily, I have about $100.00 in this bank's account. They are indeed "two-bit".
As for the demise of XP Pro, I am sorry to see it go. It is by far the best OS that Microsoft had ever come up with.
I been through two "new" Windows 7 Pro computers. Both were dead and gone within a week.
A giant FU to Microsoft! Idiots that they are cannot even invent an OS that works before they opt to do away with the best thing they'd come up with to date. 
As for the fanboys out there, I don't have approx. 4K for an new Apple Retina. It too is made in China. 
.... has zero consequence for most computer users. XP updates are not really needed at this point. It has been updated forever and if you are running a decent firewall program (and you should be) then you will be fine.
XP was the first widely used stable Microsoft OS out there. It was a quantum leap from its predecessors. But time moves on, and Windows 7 and 8 are current now and 7 at least is a really solid improvement over XP. 8 has issues as MS is busy trying to play its old games and use its leverage to force folks into its game plan. It's not working because nothing will make MS a real player in the phone market now, their lack of vision finally caught up with them.
If you have an XP machine don't worry, it will continue to work for the vast majority of your needs. When it finally doesn't, break down and get a new machine 
