H
HOF
Guest
- Thread starter
- #41
[h=1]50 Things You Didn't Know about Bill Gates[/h]
https://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/71/20140109/50-things-you-didnt-know-about-bill-gates.htm
https://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/71/20140109/50-things-you-didnt-know-about-bill-gates.htm
Microsoft will be officially ending support for Windows XP
Microsoft will be officially ending support for Windows XP
Microsoft will be officially ending support for Windows XP on April 8th, 2014. They have a nifty little countdown clock to emphasize the point.
Guide you can read and reference to better secure your system if you plan to continue to use XP.
Be sure to read and understand everything of this guide before you do it. Be sure to have your data backed up or at least a restore point.
The bottom line
Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP after 12 years. It means Microsoft will no longer offer security updates for Windows XP and related products included with the original release, including Internet Explorer 8.
Microsoft support will no longer entertain calls from XP customers.
Your XP product code is still valid, you will be able to register electronically in the future if you need to re-install your current version of XP after a drive wipe. (No word yet if MS just allows any XP key as valid)
Your Windows XP computer will continue to function normally after the deadline. It will not stop working. It will not just shut off.
Software makers can stop making sure their programs run well on XP.
The inherent issue
All of the current Microsoft operating systems share the same architecture and that is a major issue for security reasons.
Once Microsoft releases the first round of security updates for "Vista/7/8" only, hackers will be able to quickly reverse engineer the updates and see if the same security flaws exist in Windows XP.
Odds are the hackers will find the same security holes.
They will try to exploit them immediately.. That is the bitch of all this.
The Solution
Upgrade to Windows Vista or newer. That said you are probably reading this because you cant right now.
If you plan on keeping XP a while longer you will need to be more vigilant and ensure your system is secure as possible AND you will need to keep up with software updates critical to the security of your system like Java and Flash.
Suggestions
1. AVAST Anti-virus - https://www.avast.com/get/t6ivelku
You dont want to dick around with half assed protection anymore. Avast is the only AV program recommended to be installed on every computer build+laptops+android tablet.
Avast Free is one of the most comprehensive packages going, along with some of the best proactive protection going it also includes for free -
Software updater - Warns you when critical software has an available update, especially Java and Adobe products which are very common backdoors into your system.
Browser cleanup - Scans all the installed web browsers for toolbars and crap it does not need, one click will remove the crap.
Remote assistance - Anyone running Avast can generate a secure PIN they can give to a friend or family member that makes it real easy to get live remote help when you need it.
Uninstall whatever you are using now and replace it with Avast.
Avast Internet Security is worth the purchase price but not required, here are other programs you can run to fill in the paid features.
2. FIREWALL!
You need to firewall your system. A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that monitors and regulates internet traffic, think of it as a security guard that does not let random internet traffic into your system that wasn't requested by a program on your system.
DO NOT TRUST THE BUILT IN XP FIREWALL.
There are two types of firewall you can implement, choose one.
Hardware firewall- A hardware firewall is often provided by a piece of physical equipment to your computer, it is most often a gateway device like a wireless router. If you already have a wireless router then you are behind a firewall. If your computer is connected directly to your modem then you probably are not protected by a hardware firewall.
Solution? Buy a device that has a firewall such as a wifi router or move on to a software firewall.
Software firewall - A software firewall offers the same protection as a hardware one but is installed on your computer and can include more protection in the form of outgoing protection as well. If you decide to buy Avast Internet Security one of the additional features is a complete software firewall built in that requires zero configuration.
The inherent issue of using Avast with a software firewall is the fact the firewall may include features that Avast Free already includes, with the overlap comes wasted system resources as you have two software suits trying to do the same job where it overlaps.
Emsisoft Online Armor - https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/oa/
If you are running Avast then perform the following - Right click its tray icon > uncheck the "Program Guard".
Online Armor is a great software firewall, after a free trial it will still offer fantastic software firewall features.
Advanced users - Refer to my Free Software thread at . Look for Kerio under the Firewall section. It is a super lightweight firewall that is not self explanatory but straight forward to use.
3. STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER!!
Cannot stress this enough. STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER ON XP!!
There are too many holes in it and when hackers get hold of security updates the first holes they find I guarantee you will be related to IE on XP.. STOP USING IT!!
You cant remove Internet Explorer BUT you can disable it. You need to disable it.
Start Button/Control Panel
Click Add/Remove Programs
Click "Set Program Access and Defaults"
Click the down arrows under "Custom"
Uncheck the "Enable access to this program" box for Internet Explorer.
Click OK.
What browser should you use?
Chrome - www.google.com/chrome/
Chrome is hands down the most secure browser for XP. It has built in flash! Thats right, YOU DO NOT NEED ADOBE FLASH installed to your system if you run Chrome as your primary web browser. The inherent security this provides is huge as Adobe Flash is one of the greatest security threats to your system. Chrome has a built in version of flash that is "sandboxed" or secure in that it is extremely difficult for a flash security issue to leap from Chrome into your system.
FireFox is the second choice but FF still uses flash as a plugin and while they have hardened FF against flash exploits it still is dependent on the plugin. I like FF but wont use it over Chrome when available.
4. Restrict your access..kinda
No matter how hard you try to protect yourself and the quality of the programs you use, something will always get through. Your best protection is to not have unfiltered immediate access to activities that a virus or malware can exploit.
All of your XP user life you were probably the "administrator" of the system or at least included in the same pool and never had to enter a password when any program needed to modify system files.
You need to change that.
Start Button/Control Panel/User Accounts.
Create a new account, and make it an administrator.
Click the newly created account and give it a password. It can be the worst password ever, it is just a second wall of defense. REMEMBER IT!
Click the Home button, click your account. Change it to limited.
You will now have to log off/login to manage hardcore system settings, you will also need the password to install programs and do all that stuff viruses and shit need to infect your system as well.
Closing
This guide will evolve to include feedback from the community.
You Are welcome.
Microsoft will be officially ending support for Windows XP
Microsoft will be officially ending support for Windows XP on April 8th, 2014. They have a nifty little countdown clock to emphasize the point.
Guide you can read and reference to better secure your system if you plan to continue to use XP.
Be sure to read and understand everything of this guide before you do it. Be sure to have your data backed up or at least a restore point.
The bottom line
Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP after 12 years. It means Microsoft will no longer offer security updates for Windows XP and related products included with the original release, including Internet Explorer 8.
Microsoft support will no longer entertain calls from XP customers.
Your XP product code is still valid, you will be able to register electronically in the future if you need to re-install your current version of XP after a drive wipe. (No word yet if MS just allows any XP key as valid)
Your Windows XP computer will continue to function normally after the deadline. It will not stop working. It will not just shut off.
Software makers can stop making sure their programs run well on XP.
The inherent issue
All of the current Microsoft operating systems share the same architecture and that is a major issue for security reasons.
Once Microsoft releases the first round of security updates for "Vista/7/8" only, hackers will be able to quickly reverse engineer the updates and see if the same security flaws exist in Windows XP.
Odds are the hackers will find the same security holes.
They will try to exploit them immediately.. That is the bitch of all this.
The Solution
Upgrade to Windows Vista or newer. That said you are probably reading this because you cant right now.
If you plan on keeping XP a while longer you will need to be more vigilant and ensure your system is secure as possible AND you will need to keep up with software updates critical to the security of your system like Java and Flash.
Suggestions
1. AVAST Anti-virus - https://www.avast.com/get/t6ivelku
You dont want to dick around with half assed protection anymore. Avast is the only AV program recommended to be installed on every computer build+laptops+android tablet.
Avast Free is one of the most comprehensive packages going, along with some of the best proactive protection going it also includes for free -
Software updater - Warns you when critical software has an available update, especially Java and Adobe products which are very common backdoors into your system.
Browser cleanup - Scans all the installed web browsers for toolbars and crap it does not need, one click will remove the crap.
Remote assistance - Anyone running Avast can generate a secure PIN they can give to a friend or family member that makes it real easy to get live remote help when you need it.
Uninstall whatever you are using now and replace it with Avast.
Avast Internet Security is worth the purchase price but not required, here are other programs you can run to fill in the paid features.
2. FIREWALL!
You need to firewall your system. A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that monitors and regulates internet traffic, think of it as a security guard that does not let random internet traffic into your system that wasn't requested by a program on your system.
DO NOT TRUST THE BUILT IN XP FIREWALL.
There are two types of firewall you can implement, choose one.
Hardware firewall- A hardware firewall is often provided by a piece of physical equipment to your computer, it is most often a gateway device like a wireless router. If you already have a wireless router then you are behind a firewall. If your computer is connected directly to your modem then you probably are not protected by a hardware firewall.
Solution? Buy a device that has a firewall such as a wifi router or move on to a software firewall.
Software firewall - A software firewall offers the same protection as a hardware one but is installed on your computer and can include more protection in the form of outgoing protection as well. If you decide to buy Avast Internet Security one of the additional features is a complete software firewall built in that requires zero configuration.
The inherent issue of using Avast with a software firewall is the fact the firewall may include features that Avast Free already includes, with the overlap comes wasted system resources as you have two software suits trying to do the same job where it overlaps.
Emsisoft Online Armor - https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/oa/
If you are running Avast then perform the following - Right click its tray icon > uncheck the "Program Guard".
Online Armor is a great software firewall, after a free trial it will still offer fantastic software firewall features.
Advanced users - Refer to my Free Software thread at . Look for Kerio under the Firewall section. It is a super lightweight firewall that is not self explanatory but straight forward to use.
3. STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER!!
Cannot stress this enough. STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER ON XP!!
There are too many holes in it and when hackers get hold of security updates the first holes they find I guarantee you will be related to IE on XP.. STOP USING IT!!
You cant remove Internet Explorer BUT you can disable it. You need to disable it.
Start Button/Control Panel
Click Add/Remove Programs
Click "Set Program Access and Defaults"
Click the down arrows under "Custom"
Uncheck the "Enable access to this program" box for Internet Explorer.
Click OK.
What browser should you use?
Chrome - www.google.com/chrome/
Chrome is hands down the most secure browser for XP. It has built in flash! Thats right, YOU DO NOT NEED ADOBE FLASH installed to your system if you run Chrome as your primary web browser. The inherent security this provides is huge as Adobe Flash is one of the greatest security threats to your system. Chrome has a built in version of flash that is "sandboxed" or secure in that it is extremely difficult for a flash security issue to leap from Chrome into your system.
FireFox is the second choice but FF still uses flash as a plugin and while they have hardened FF against flash exploits it still is dependent on the plugin. I like FF but wont use it over Chrome when available.
4. Restrict your access..kinda
No matter how hard you try to protect yourself and the quality of the programs you use, something will always get through. Your best protection is to not have unfiltered immediate access to activities that a virus or malware can exploit.
All of your XP user life you were probably the "administrator" of the system or at least included in the same pool and never had to enter a password when any program needed to modify system files.
You need to change that.
Start Button/Control Panel/User Accounts.
Create a new account, and make it an administrator.
Click the newly created account and give it a password. It can be the worst password ever, it is just a second wall of defense. REMEMBER IT!
Click the Home button, click your account. Change it to limited.
You will now have to log off/login to manage hardcore system settings, you will also need the password to install programs and do all that stuff viruses and shit need to infect your system as well.
Closing
This guide will evolve to include feedback from the community.
You Are welcome.
P
Prick
Guest
- Thread starter
- #45
Who uses IE anymore?.
ancing:
H
HOF
Guest
- Thread starter
- #51
Does this mean those assholes from India/Pakistan will stop calling me, telling me I've got a problem or I'm getting a refund!
This is what I say to them
Then I blow my Fox40 whistle in their ear!
This is what I say to them
Then I blow my Fox40 whistle in their ear!
S
Swede
Guest
- Thread starter
- #57
This is bloody helpful. Thanks
Do not use Internet Explorer!!!!!!
Do not use Internet Explorer!!!!!!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech...ug-homeland-security-clandestine-fox/8409857/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technol...se-Internet-Explorer-warns-US-government.html
Do not use Internet Explorer!!!!!!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech...ug-homeland-security-clandestine-fox/8409857/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technol...se-Internet-Explorer-warns-US-government.html
U
User-E
Guest
- Thread starter
- #59
Good advice any day, but especially today!
Pearldiver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2010
- Messages
- 225
OMG, I'm on IE now. Somethins happe ning to m comp.......................>/23/1####....................fuc...k ............2&&*($###...............................................................................................................................................................................
