Still Safe, Still No Viruses On Xp (with No Updates) - Am I Just Lucky?

Hi all

I am still currently on XP. I hate change! But I'm having problems with my OS and I think rather than re-install XP, it's finally time for me to jump to 7/10. Apart from joining the modern era, I also want to make use of more than 4GB RAM.... Anyhow, putting all that aside for the moment...

Up until now I have never had any viruses or internet related problems that I'm aware of with my PC. I run Panda AV Free, but I do not have any software firewall installed. Even when XP WAS still supported, I NEVER ran any of the MS updates, so I must be WELL out of date as I built my PC in 2008! I am on SP3. I use Chrome as my browser, and I use the internet a lot.

So - have I just been lucky or is there more to it? From what I've read, the fact that I use XP alone should have me riddled with viruses, etc. Add to this that I've not run updates since 2008... and... well... So I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts.

Many thanks

Max

 

Welcome to Major Geeks

It may well be down to the fact you have excellent and safe surfing habits. Not keeping security software and critical Windows updates up to date, opening or even clicking on SPAM emails and surfing at known dangerous websites and installing crap software bundled with junk is the main reason for Malware.

The inbuilt Firewall in Windows 8 and 10 are pretty good.

Stick to this guide on your new system and you will be just fine:
https://forums.majorgeeks.com/threads/how-to-protect-yourself-from-malware.44525/

 

well yeah thats the #1 thing, a safe browsing habit is all you need. ive been computering since 95 and interneting since y2k, nothing surprises me anymore. the only virus ive gotten recently (within +5 years) was from my friends FD, with no AV ;P
my gaming win7 has no AV nor FW and i havent been hit since the first install.

for anything sketchy id rather use a portable linux, havent had any issues whatsoever.