PCmatic - claims to protect end-of-life Windows XP

[pastywhitegurl]

http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2014/03/10/pc-matic-continues-support-xp/

....we have decided to continue support for Windows XP for as long as there is demand. We believe that computers do not grow old if they are properly maintained. On top of that, our unique security including application white listing will continue to support all recent versions of Windows including XP.

Whats the consensus on this?  Can they really offer any additional protections beyond continuing with MSE and Malwarebytes Pro?

I know part of PCmatic's schpeel is some kind of registry cleaner, but I'm assuming that could be disabled.

I believe the cost is somewhere around $50 a year.

[winchester73]

Not something I'd put on any of my machines.  Then again, I don't go looking for trouble  :wink:

Television is full of ads for software which claim to be an optimizing tool, registry mechanic, overall performance improver, general repairer and cleaner, hard drive fragmentation reporter, speed enhancer, protector from internet nasties, driver updater, remover of unnecessary files and outdated registry entries, whitewall cleaner (OK, I made that last one up) ... now these folks are pounding the airwaves for their Super Shield since support for XP has ended.  :blink: 

Then again, I hang the phone up on the "Microsoft" reps that call me and say their "system" has detected malware in my computer.   :laughing:

[Corrine]

Exactly, Winchester73! 

PCmatic does not have access to the code for Windows XP so cannot provide security updates.  Users of Windows XP need to use an alternate browser from IE, have a 3rd party firewall, good antivirus software and keep Adobe Flash Player and Java (if it is still needed for some reason) updated.

Don't waste  your money.  Put it aside so you can replace your computer sooner rather than later.

[pastywhitegurl]

Thanks, that seems good advice.  I kind of expected that would be the answer, but since they've been heavily advertising the XP angle, I wanted to find out the real facts.

I'm toying with the idea of trying out Linux to use until I can get a new PC. I'll probably start a thread asking for help though, because even though I've been reading a lot about it, much of it is confusing to me.

[Corrine]

There are a few people here who are familiar with Linux, although most of us are predominantly Windows users.  If you decide to go that route, you may want to do some preliminary reading first.  There's some good topics at Scot's Newsletter Forums in the "Bruno's All Things Linux" forum.  You might want to start with New to Linux ?? in the Bruno's Classroom subforum.  (Note:  if you decide to register at SNF, keep in mind that all new members are vetted and require Admin approval.  Send me or LilBambi a message here and we'll watch for you.)

[Digerati]

The ONLY way to ensure with 100% certainty an XP system is not vulnerable to attack is to take it off line - that is, disconnect it from any network that has Internet access.

[Digerati]

A good read: Why continuing support for XP is bad math.

[LilBambi]

Yes, EMET v3 might help but likely would prove as annoying to 'average' users as NoScript. I put EMET v3 in the first comment on the following posting on my blog posting about the IE zero day vulnerability that I used in part to talk to XP users and talked about this being ONLY the first item that won't be fixed for Windows XP here:

IE Zero-Day Vulnerability

[pastywhitegurl]

Lil' Bambi, do you mind if I post for help getting Linux on my machine here?  If you would rather, I'll join the other forum, but if it doesn't matter, I'd rather just post here.

[LilBambi]

Sure you can post it in LzD. Might be best to post it here:

http://www.landzdown.com/computer-problems-questions-and-solutions!/

and then link to it here in this topic so I know where your topic is.

[pastywhitegurl]

Thank you so much!

I've started my questions here: http://www.landzdown.com/computer-problems-questions-and-solutions!/help-putting-linux-on-my-windows-xp-machine/

[LilBambi]

I have put some thoughts there already for you to think about.  :mitch: