I don’t assume anything. I’m just not that arrogant and/or ignorant to think that some programs can keep me 100 percent “virus free”.
I was hoping for some new and useable information in this “discussion”.
With all the personal attacks I Can see that’s not gonna happen. ;D
The information was already posted:
Create an image backup right after the last update of XP from MS. and keep it in a safe place.
Make sure that all your programs and your AV are kept as up to date as possible and keep your fingers crossed.
If your system does start acting strangely, restore the image you created. 
Yes, I’ve been following.
As I my W8.1 is my production OS, I still do use xpSP3 for some office work with compatible equipment.
Any discussion regarding XP attracts my attention.
Thanks Bob. 
The compatibility mode in Windows 8.1 happens to be excellent and you can probably run your old programs on 8.1 as good as
you currently do on XP.
Why not try one of those old programs on 8.1 ???
Yes, that is very true Bob.
I have been taking note, but as you probably are aware, W8.1 is my OS of choice and as I have become more and more acquainted with this new OS I personally wouldn’t go back to XP for so many reasons; and one can only spend so much time playing around, one does have to get work done…Securely.
Having said that, I don’t have any immediate plans to ditch my XP laptop and as a result follow any discussion that offers reasonable and useful information.
I don’t see any reason to trust using Windows XP once it is no longer supported. With an operating system and 3rd party apps that are no longer being updated, I would never sign on to any site that requires a password or have any trust in using the computer.
I have been thinking of what I would do and have decided the XP notebook is going in the round file and the battery is going to recycle.
Hi well I think you are all being ridiculous. XP of course no one would use the last MS supported browser on XP ie 8 so if you are going to worry about XP and have been using ie 8 you have been compromised for a long time. As long as you use a updated browser of your choice and a good av program it will not get any more infected than any other os. I used XP for years with no windows updates ever being installed and had no problems. What does get you infected is your browsing habits looking for cracked software downloading files from a file share program porn sites. As far as I am concerned XP will be just fine and I can guarantee you huge businesses will not race to change from XP just because MS has stopped support. As for creating a image why all the updates will be on Windows update for a long time. So going to the wrong site that is infected will infect win 7 or 8 just as fast as it will XP
I’d be happy to take that laptop off your hands, Simply wipe the hard drive and send it to me. One of my seniors would be glad to receive it.
I’ll install windows 8.1 on that laptop. 
@Hammey,
As for creating a image whyI guess you've never had your Hard drive crash ???
Hammey,
There are several reasons why it makes sense to have an image backup of your system whatever operating system you use but with the loss of Microsoft support for XP, there is one more reason why the XP user should consider it.
An XP system image created immediately after the final Windows update, should the need arise, will provide a more convenient method of restoration than reinstalling XP and then searching for all the relevant Windows updates, downloading them, installing them and reinstalling drivers etc. Admittedly, the latter will give you a cleaner, smoother system and may be preferable for those who have the time but the option of having both strategies available must be worthwhile.
Brief mention has been made of Linux on this thread and disabling the network connection within XP. That is probably the safest option for XP users who can still use their XP software and peripherals but use Linux for all internet activity. Not quite as safe is to still keep XP internet connections but only to use XP for non-sensitive internet activity while using Linux for banking and other activities where the utmost security is required. Linux distributions, as previously mentioned, can be run as live discs or they could be set up as a dual boot system with XP.
A drastic change to linux just to use the internet is probably not needed provided,
you stop using Internet Explorer 8 - it’s not safe regardless of the windows version you’re using.
Pick another browser as your default browser - Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc and keep which ever
browser you choose up to date.
Try Linux, it will run more smoothly on low-end hardware than Windows XP. Or sell it and buy a tablet/small office computer.
What does get you infected is your browsing habits looking for cracked software downloading files from a file share program porn sites.That's so like 90' or 00'. Nowadays, even a cute kitty-picture in a blog or a compromised ad could get you infected and you wouldn't even be aware of it, because unlike those old fashioned viruses, today's malware won't just try to destroy your computer, but rather spy on your computer or misuse it in DDoS or spam attacks against others.
Brief mention has been made of Linux on this thread and disabling the network connection within XP. That is probably the safest option for XP users who can still use their XP software and peripherals but use Linux for all internet activity.It's not only the safest, but the best option XP users could do to prevent having massive botnets. An unsupported, widespread system is the best possible target you could wish for. For the sake of others, I wouldn't recommend on using XP with internet access.
Now they are talking about avast on windows xp I decided to search a little about the network problem that seems to be generated.
and so says:
an update of avast creates problems with windows xp operating system. It happens that when scanning the computer, the antivirus detects the malware as a system file TCPIP.SYS charge of running the network .By doing this, the pc is isolated from a network, you will see that there is no movement or data sent or received . When you ping the modem , it gives this error: " " Unable to find the IP driver , error code 2 "
The solution is to remove the antivirus , then download this file (obviously from a location q if have connection)
download :
http://infomundo.org/software/solucion-avast-con-windows-xp/
It is a small executable q restores the system configuration in this regard. When doing pc reconnects to the network.
see you.
I hope it will be helpful!
Greetings! : D
El forum Espanol es aqui: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=25.0
Por favor, utiliza Linux por el internet o utiliza Windows 7/8.1 a la final de supporte de Windows XP.
best solution would be to stop using XP with online access. You could still use all your programs and (offline) games with XP, while surfing with a live linux system or switch to Windows 7 or 8.1 to get better support.
You’ve already mentioned that more than once.
Hi @bob3160 yes of course in the last 25 years of being in the business I have had hard drives fail but only one or 2 times as I change out my drives when they get older both where Seagate drives. I of course keep a backup of all my stuff that I want but I have 4 pc’s at home here with many drives so it is very easy just to copy your data to a few of those drive’s. And no there is nothing like a fresh install with all new drivers that have not been over written 5 times with updates. It takes like what 5 min to install windows 7 from a flash drive. Believe it or not there are some people still using windows 2000 and windows 98. It seems like you are all taking this end of support thing like Windows XP will die that will not happen. Anyway I will now step out of this what has turned into a argument post.
Windows XP died for me a long time ago.
These replies are directed at those who refuse or are financially unable to leave XP.
I don’t know of any arguments in this thread unless you think that different opinions constitute an argument.
It would be a sad world if everyone was of the same opinion.
That’s because at that time of the posting, the user above me was still using Spanish and I didn’t want to leave only Spanish text there.
Agreeed… or Windows Steady State, free, works on XP and is from Microsoft.