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Please keep Windows updated with all critical patches. It is also important to move to supported platforms. See post #2 and the Microsoft Support Lifecycle (http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-gb&C2=1173)
Safe surfing! :)
Helpers in malware removal forums may not respond and try to clean an operating system that is no longer supported and therefore cannot be updated or patched.
Further, the tools most often used for manual removals do not work on legacy systems.
Microsoft retires support for legacy systems because they are outdated and can expose customers to security risks.
June 30, 2006 brought a close to Extended Support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows ME as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Microsoft retired public and technical support, including security updates, on that date. Noted because this operating system is still seen in use on the Internet.
Support for Windows XP ended on April 8, 2014. If you're running this version after support ends, you won't get security updates for Windows.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help
Unsupported operating systems (and servers), are an open door to infection, security programs are really just a band-aid. :sad:
Microsoft Support Lifecycle (http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/)
Select a Product for Lifecycle Information (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselect)
Validate Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/Genuine/)
Internet Explorer 11: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-10/worldwide-languages
Microsoft Security Alerts and Advisories in our forum here:
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=862
Updated by AplusWebMaster
Considering the purchase of a second hand computer?
Please make sure you really are getting a bargain and not a paperweight.
The seller should have formatted and reinstalled a legitimate copy of the Operating System.
Provided you with the original software disks, plus any manuals that accompany these disks.
Should you need to format, reinstall, or repair windows you will need one of these tools:
Install disk
Restore disk
Or a working restore partition
Verify the Windows software installed is legitimate before paying for the PC. How to tell if your copy of Windows is genuine. (http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx)
If the Operating System is not legitimate then you will not be able to update Windows, in which case the machine will be infected very quickly once on the WWW and become a liability, no matter what security software is installed. Never accept illegal pirated software, doing so can cause all sorts of problems.
Often there are good bargains for new PC's, so you may not save much by buying a second-hand one. Especially when the warranty that comes with a new PC is taken into consideration.
Any computer over three-four years old may not run the software you wish to install, so check into that as well. :)
Credit for topic: Mosaic1
Springboard Series Blog
On April 8, 2014, we will end the extended support for our commercial customers and we will no longer provide security updates for commercial or consumer customers.
http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2013/04/08/365-days-remaining-until-xp-end-of-support-the-countdown-begins.aspx
The impending crisis that is Windows XP and IE 8
http://www.troyhunt.com/2013/01/the-impending-crisis-that-is-windows-xp.html
(http://techpageone.dell.com/technology/windows-xp-end-road/?dgc=BA&cid=272099&lid=5049884&acd=12309189674467600#.UxUoP4W9Is3)Windows XP - The Elephant In The Room (http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=630064#p630064)
(http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2013/04/08/365-days-remaining-until-xp-end-of-support-the-countdown-begins.aspx)
zdnet
August 22, 2013
"You've been getting warned for ages about the impending end of support for XP. Things are even worse than you've heard (especially if you run Internet Explorer). Expect a flood of new vulnerabilities and no help for them."
Your perilous future on Windows XP
http://www.zdnet.com/your-perilous-future-on-windows-xp-7000019721/
technet
29 Oct 2013
Infection rates and end of support for Windows XP
http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2013/10/29/infection-rates-and-end-of-support-for-windows-xp.aspx
technet
15 Jan 2014
"Our research shows that the effectiveness of antimalware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited. Running a well-protected solution starts with using modern software and hardware designed to help protect against today’s threat landscape."
http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2014/01/15/microsoft-antimalware-support-for-windows-xp.aspx
Windows Vista Life Cycle.
End of mainstream support: April 10th, 2012
End of extended support: April 11th, 2017
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet
All software products have a life-cycle. After January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running the Windows 7 operating system. After this date, this product will no longer receive free:
Technical support for any issues
Software updates
Security updates or fixes
Computers running the Windows 7 operating system will continue to work even after support ends. However, using unsupported software may increase the risks from viruses and other security threats.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages users and administrators to upgrade to a currently supported operating system. For more information, see the Microsoft End of Support FAQ (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-7-end-of-life-support-information).
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2019/03/19/Microsoft-Ending-Support-Windows-7
January 14th, 2020.
The ten year old operating system will no longer receive security updates or technical support.
https://www.engadget.com/2020/01/14/microsoft-ends-support-for-windows-7-today/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/01/14/windows-7-crazy-high-security-risk-as-crypto-exploit-found-in-audio-files/#79d73a0c4bfe