End of support of Windows XP

[hake]

There are very effective ways of hardening XP security which I have been devising and honing since about 2008.  Some involve user behaviour, some involve software and the rest involve configuration.  For the ordinary consumer user, the trouble with that is that a tiny modicum of expertise, mostly owing to experience and observation, is required to achieve that state of grace.  I'm not particularly bright so I will say that evolving a robust XP is not rocket science.   Later Windows are horrid by comparison with XP and won't run the applications that I enjoy using or need to use.  I'm too set in my ways I guess but after having used XP for 13 years and not havng yet suffered from any effects of malware or similar attack, I must be doing something right.   

Roll on the end of May 2014, and beyond, and I will see if my hopes are shot down in flames.

Microsoft is being too hard-headed for it's own good.  Wait until network connected clinical support systems running critical custom specialised software start misbehaving and costing lives.  Don't let the interests of sick people get in the way of a profit, Microsoft.

[bob3160]

We all sooner or later need to realize that everything has an "end of life".
(As some one getting up in age, I'm well aware of that fact)
Windows XP is actually way past that end of life and l is being kept alive via life support.
Technology moves in leaps and bounds and, some of the ancient technology built into XP,
simply can't be supported any more.
It make a great game machine as does my Commodore 64.

[Asyn]

Guys, just FYI...

AVAST will continue to support Windows XP for home and business users
http://blog.avast.com/2014/03/12/avast-will-continue-to-support-windows-xp-for-home-and-business-users/

[Hammey]

Hi I don't care what os you are using it can be infected. For example the USA homeland security phone number has been hacked and it is being used now by the people that Phone your house and tell you your pc is infected they want to connect to fix it and charge your credit card do not be surprised many people have fallen for this scam. There response is they don't know how it was done and have not been able to fix it how secure do you feel now. The thing that will keep you safe is in most cases is common sense.

[Randissimo]

AVAST will continue to support Windows XP for home and business users
http://blog.avast.com/2014/03/12/avast-will-continue-to-support-windows-xp-for-home-and-business-users/

You're way too late: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=147362.msg1071146#msg1071146

But that's impossible

I agree.

Me too, but you can't say anything about what other people believe or are made to believe.

Later Windows are horrid by comparison with XP and won't run the applications that I enjoy using or need to use.

Have you tried to run/install the applications in compatibility mode? Have you installed all VisualC++ runtime packages, DirectX9 and other stuff?

I'm too set in my ways I guess but after having used XP for 13 years and not havng yet suffered from any effects of malware or similar attack, I must be doing something right.

You might be a part of a botnet and you wouldn't know it. You could be compromised by a cute kitty picture or an ad on your favorite's blog and you wouldn't know it. Getting malware only from downloading stuff and opening  mail attachments is way too outdated information, having only malware which actively shows itself as such and tries to destroy/sabotage your computer, too.
Again, we're living in 2014 and not in 2004 when Sasser came around.

Wait until network connected clinical support systems running critical custom specialised software start misbehaving and costing lives.

Network connection is not equal to internet connection. Even if they would have run with Windows 8.1 or with Linux, it would be still way to risky to let them run with internet access. Those specialized machines rather run in a separated, secured network.
Aside from that, if they have Microsoft XP embedded, they would still get security updates for about 3 years.