XPost: alt.comp.freeware, comp.os.ms-windows.misc   
   From: usenet@alanralph.co.uk   
      
   On 03/04/2014 18:21, Bubba wrote:   
   > You can bet that the scripted television "news" headlines are going   
   > to pitch for Micro$oft using scare tactics to promote Windows 8x devices   
   > and upgrades.  These uber-corporations work absolutely in lockstep   
   > with Big Brother, and Windows 8x is the line in the sand.   
      
   To date, I've not seen that much TV discussions about the implications   
   of the impending end of support for XP here in the UK. Where there has   
   been advice, it has been to see if your existing machine can be upgraded   
   - even the cheapest new PC system is still a big outlay for some households.   
      
   > Tech gurus are emphasizing the importance of backing up all user files   
   > on XP machines to portable storage media before the April 8th deadline,   
   > and that people should backup their user files no matter what OS or   
   > device they're using.  But "cloud" storage?  Not for me.   
      
   Well, I'm glad that message is getting out. It baffles me that PC makers   
   are quick to flog online backup solutions with new PCs that may or may   
   not be effective if the customer doesn't have a fast broadband   
   connection, but don't think to include an external hard disk as part of   
   a system package.   
      
   > Over on the alt.comp.freeware newsgroup there's apt to be increased   
   > discussion on what freeware programs can help to minimize security   
   > risks on an XP machine connected to the Internet, e.g Firefox as the   
   > default browser, hosts updates, disabling Java, and so forth.  I would   
   > imagine that Linux is going to get a lot more attention.  I just wish   
   > that Linux was more standardized and not divided into so many "flavors   
   > of the month."  Buying a new or used Windows 7 x64 machine or upgrade   
   > might be another option.  500 million XP users are about to find out.   
      
   Those are all worthwhile measures, and in fact all users should consider   
   taking steps to minimise their potential security risk, including those   
   of us with Macs.   
      
   Alan   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)