Windows XP is still alive and how to keep using it

We are now in the year 2020. We all know that Microsoft no longer provides official support for Windows XP since 8th April 2014. Some of us are unfortunate and still have yet to make the big leap to the new systems. Mainly Microsoft Windows 10. Our PCs are still running smoothly with older versions especially Windows XP, Vista or the recent out of service Windows 7. Of course, there is some glitches here and there but its just for the sole purpose of using it for either writing, listening to music and doing everything offline or even if its online, its just to watch YouTube.

According to market share studies, there are a lot of users who are still using Windows XP on their laptops or desktops. In this post, I will try to point out some helpful feature in helping to keep your Windows XP running.

• Install an Anti Virus

Even though Microsoft no longer releases Windows XP security patches, you can still protect your computer. You can anytime download and install free or paid antivirus programs.

The free software is ok, but if you really want to secure your Windows XP system you should choose a paid version of antivirus. The best programs that you can use is Avast. I have tried downloading others such as AVG, Comodo, Clam Antivirus, McAfee and run on them even in search by other bloggers and websites saying, they are be used on Windows XP, the software installation says it doesn't support older operating system anymore. I may have chosen the wrong link to download but hope that's just my mistake.

In case you are asking about what happened to Microsoft Security Essentials, you should know that the software received the last updated in June 2015.

Anyway, even though Security Essential represents the official Microsoft security tool, we recommend using a better antivirus program.

• Stop using Internet Explorer

On your Windows XP you should use either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. I would suggest Mozilla Firefox as Google Chrome also no longer supports windows xp. However, you can choose to install a lower version of Google Chrome. But I would not advice on it as some features will not be able to work. All the major tech and security companies out there urge you to stop using Internet Explorer and for a good reason.

Why? Well mainly because Windows XP will no longer receive Internet Explorer official support which means that your web browser might not offer the security support you need.

So, the best way to avoid unpleasant situations will be in using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, which will bring patches up to date. There are a lot other browsers as well, just do a search and you can find them. Or for the better, to protect your PC from malicious attacks on the internet...

• Use VPN

You may wonder what VPN is all about. A virtual private network (VPN) is a private data network that abstracts your Internet connection so as to maintain privacy through cryptographic security protocols. In addition, a VPN hides your IP address and makes you anonymous online. Such a service can be installed on a number of operating systems and devices to secure all network traffic.

Also, if you are already installed with the Avast free or paid yearly, Avast also has the VPN feature for an additional subscription. I have not tested on other VPN services, only Avast and corporate VPN services such as Sophos Cyberoam. I have however, tested on some free VPN but they can be rather annoying because it is filled with advertisements and also you need to verify captchas everytime you want to use the VPN.

Conclusion, if you still want to use older versions of Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 (End of Extended Support is on January 14, 2020) and even Windows 8/8.1 (End of Extended Support is on January 10, 2023), Update to its latest updates, have an antivirus and internet browser that supports the system and also for additional internet surfing security, use VPN. But do take note, you can't install some of the latest software that isn't compatible with the older versions anymore.

:: NOTICE: Movement Control Order as of 18th MARCH 2020

Following the recent events around the world regarding the outbreak of corona virus, Our Government's Prime Minister announced an immediate Movement Control Order with immediate effect on the 18th March 2020. Initially the MCO for short was until 28th March. But because of the severity of the cases of infection has increased tremendously, the MCO has extended to 28th April 2020.

During this time of MCO, companies are restricted to go to offices to work. Hence, we are all working from home. And have been forbidden to be out of our houses. We are instructed with only one person in the car and only one person per household to go out for groceries. We are not allowed to travel between states and we are also not allowed to travel more than 10KM within our premises. With that, our on-site services have been halted and we can only provide services via online.

With this restriction, we have the right to refuse business that could jeopardize our health due to the severity of the infection of corona virus (COVID19). Please do hope you understand our situation and if we have inconveniently been rude or refused to help a particular problem, we are solely making the decisions due to the nature of the infection of this corona virus. We apologize for any inconveniences especially denying of services which include picking up hardware laptop or desktop CPU.

Our services extension during this MCO includes hosting services, online software troubleshooting (this involves a currently working computer with internet access. This is usually done via remote access using either Teamviewer or AnyDesk. What we do is, we remote access to try to troubleshoot examples: for existing customers are renewal license for antivirus, third party email software configuration, problems installing software, to name a few. ) Renewal of hosting payments are all done via online payment. We are JomPAY biller since 2018.

During this time of Working from Home #workfromhome, we strongly advise our customer to secure their computer with original software especially antivirus and internet security software. Purchase a legitimate VPN software whenever performing online payment or online transaction for your bills. As more and more people are working form home, internet security is of utmost importance. We have received lots of customer's feedback regarding email Spamming and even recent's news on a test app that supposedly help in financing, but actually is a syndicate that robs your money.

Antivirus and Printers/Scanners sometimes don't work together well.

We as IT technicians should always focus on delivering good service to the customer and also give customers the convenience in their daily work life.

However, I came across an incident that made me thinking. This happens only recently (yesterday). I was called to service a construction site office.

Another technician was already there fiddling with the printer. He is the printer's techie guy. When I arrived, he kept mumbling that the Wi-Fi connection is up and down. I checked, 1st thing location of the device was in the cupboard shelve. I move it on top of the shelve instead. The signal got better.

The network cable was loose. So, I plug it in tightly. Printer was functioning again. I then continue to do my task while he setup ready pcs there to connect to printer and scan. He then instructed the customer saying "I have disabled the pc's antivirus firewall. Then only it can scan the file in". I was shocked to hear that coming out from the printer technician. I had to intervene. I just say it out "you don't need to disable the antivirus, its placed that in the first place to prevent viruses. You can't just disable just to make the scanning works. Its an inconvenience to the customer". He didn't bother. He just want to make his work simple and complete.

I manage to fix the scanning and with the antivirus still running. No need to disable anything! We're suppose to give convenience to the customers, not inconveniences! And the technician didn't even bother to learn.

Solution:
Most Antivirus have the function and setting to enable Printer and Sharing services. Just need to make sure that the function is enabled and most up to date printer drivers should be able to work well with the antivirus intact and running. If the antivirus still blocks, meaning the drivers or the software is not configured with the latest functions and should only be placed in a pc or mini server with no internet connection. This way, the software will not be prone to get virus attacks that could leak out to other normal working PCs with internet connection. This is to prevent from users, (usually) choosing to click ignore on antivirus pop up scanners because, it interrupts their work or they need to access the file. 

Do you Need anti-virus/ anti-malware on your smart phone?

I have something to share. It may not be relevant nor important. And I'm not sure if it should be important or not. 

The question is : Do you need an antivirus or internet security software on your android phone?

Since I'm in the IT line of work. I use the internet intensively a lot. And most of the time, answers I need are from the internet. We do know for one thing is whenever we use our computers or smartphone to connect to the internet, make sure we use the public group especially when we're surfing from cafes or restaurants, where the internet is given free while you drink, eat or sleep. And its safe to surf or connect home internet or data internet provided by our phone telecommunication. However, we have see so many movies where there are black hat hackers that can capture our smartphone data easily.

And nowadays, our smartphones are like our digital wallet, diary, passbook, identity. Without proper usage and protection, with internet connection, public or private network, where there is a will, there is a way.

Now scams come in many different forms. Emails, messaging, unknown apps which can somehow be found on playstore.

Sure, we can have save internet surfing using vpn. But not all free vpn are giving fast surfing. Some have to pay. Would love to hear from your point of opinion. Should you need an antivirus or internet security app on your android phone. For all we know, these internet security apps themselves are in a way a hack ability function for them to keep track of users and their phone usage. But I believe they (white hat hackers) are used for the users' protection.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/do-you-need-antivirus-on-android/

14 Free Bootable Antivirus Tools

Free Virus Scanners That Work Without Access to Windows

What are you to do when you have a computer problem so bad that your computer won't start at all and you're pretty sure a virus or some other malware is to blame? How do you scan for viruses when you can't start Windows to do a virus scan?

This is where a bootable antivirus program becomes the hero of the day. With a bootable virus scanner, you create a special flash drive or CD/DVD disc from a working computer and then use it on the infected machine to scan the hard drive for viruses - all without needing to start Windows!

Since the most serious of viruses cause damage to the parts of your computer that allow it to start, a bootable antivirus tool can often be a powerful weapon at your disposal for getting the virus removed and your computer back up and running.

Note: In general, getting a bootable antivirus program up and running requires that you take the ISO image provided and then, from a working computer, burn it to a disc or burn it to a USB drive. Next, you'll need to boot from the disc or boot from the flash drive on the infected PC. More details are available in our reviews and on the bootable AV program websites.

1. Anvi Rescue Disk
2. AVG Rescue CD
3. Avira Rescue System
4. Comodo Rescue Disk
5. Bitdefender Rescue Disk
6. Dr. Web LiveDisk
7. F-Secure Rescue Disk
8. Kasperskey Rescue Disk
9. Panda  Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO
10. Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus
11. Trend Micro Rescue Disk
12. VBA 32 Rescue
13. Windows Defender Offline
14. Zillya! Live CD

Original Post by Tim Fisher