Hello Ed,

12 Jul 18 23:02 at you wrote to me:

 EV> Even though I don't 'think' I have any MS Azure software on this XP

You never will. :)

 EV> I began using the internet in 1996.

I started using it in 1983 when it was still ARPANET.  I had this gigantic 
UUCP email address that was three lines long.  Thought it was neat but moved 
and lost access.

 EV> But because I have read BBS Messages (since 1984) about tricks some
 EV> people do over the internet I got paranoid, and I try to be "very
 EV> very" careful.

Right now, running XP is a giant, screaming, oozing security hole.  You're not 
being careful in that respect.

As an IT professional, I'm telling you you're asking for it running XP.  As a 
friend, I'd recommend moving up to Windows 10 when you can (you can still get 
it for free).

If you have issues getting W10, let me know and I will send you a legal (but 
non-registered) working copy of W10 on a USB stick that you can plug in and 
set up on your computer assuming it can run W10 on its hardware.  There's a 
bunch of silly telemetry stuff that you have to turn off but there's fast and 
easy ways to do that.

If you have a legal Windows 7 or 8 key, that will work to register W10 with 
the same version of WinX that you are using (Home, Pro, et cetera).

 EV> After I turn a MS Windows pc ON I usually don't use it until after
 EV> I've updated the Definitions for the 'Watchdog' programs I use on my
 EV> pc, i.e.: AntiVirus, Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot S&D and
 EV> Winpatrol.

If you are using multiple antiviral software packages on your computer, you 
are going to have serious issues.  Only use one antiviral software; the 
spyware stuff may conflict with each other also.

All of that software should automatically update.  You should never have to do 
that task yourself if the software is configured correctly.

 EV> It doesn't take that much time for the Windows pc to do the updates,
 EV> and I feel better after I've done the updates, that maybe the
 EV> 'baddies' won't get access to my computer (this time).

If you're running a modern version of Windows, have your Windows Firewall 
configured correctly as well as your router's firewall, use antiviral/malware 
software correctly, and are careful where you go on the Web, you're fine.

All of my Windows machines update automatically with the security software 
whenever they're turned on and normally will check every 24 hours for updates 
unless the provider pushes out a mandatory update.

 EV> I try not to be stupid, just careful.

That tagline wasn't chosen by me, I promise.

Later,
Sean

... When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20170303
 * Origin: Outpost BBS * Limestone, TN, USA (1:18/200)