windows 7 no support
 

Windows 7 won't be supported starting January 2020 so I won't have M.S. updates anymore
But so as long as I have Webroot complete anti virus software & Premium Malwarebytes will I be safe from malware with using windows 7 without the M.S> updates ?

there is no answer to that question since we don't know your web habits. You should be safe as long as you don't do anything stupid like porn sites, piracy sites, torrents, open attachments and more. but it is no guarantee. also remember once the eol hits a lot of antivirus software will also be no longer supported.

You use win7 at your own risk

To be fair, no matter what OS you're using, folks will tell you that your safety as far as computers go, are at risk if using/doing anything that renegade600 states.

The problem is, just as it is/was with XP, you may be safe today, but tomorrow a previously undiscovered vulnerability may be exploited by new malware the security industry has not accounted for.

For that reason, there is no way anybody can say your computer will remain secured.

The problem is, again, the same with XP. Not all malware is designed to compromise your personal security. Instead, bad guys will often create malware that turns the infected system into a distributor of malware or spam, or to use in a DDoS attack on another - all without the user of that machine even being aware the computer was compromised. It might, for example, send out 10 spam messages an hour. You likely would not notice that.

So the problem is, using an unsupported operating system turns that computer into a potential threat against the rest of us too. And that is not cool.

So I recommend you upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as possible - even if that means new hardware that supports it. Alternatively, there is always one of the many capable adn **free** versions of Linux.

And remember, it is easy to make W10 look and feel like W7 with Start10 or Open-Shell.

If the concern is W10 privacy, don't worry about it. First, there is a HUGE difference between privacy and security. W10 is NOT trying to steal your passwords, access your bank accounts, contacts, or infect your system. In fact, it protects those things better than any previous version of Windows.

As for privacy, you have MUCH more to worry about with Google, Facebook, your ISP and especially your cell phone carrier than you do with Microsoft or Windows 10.

very true but at least with the others, they are updated with the latest security fixes. which makes win7 and older operating systems even riskier to use.

I don't mean to be impolite, but folks should qualify the statement about no support, because there are business entities and maybe some charities and such that are paying for support for a fair bit down the road -- more than a year, I think.

Now it seems to me that information from those getting that support could sort of be leaked out to us Net peons who are sort of still not confident about certain matters related to Windows 10.

One more thing:

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - February 2020 (KB890830)

The published date for that is February 11th, 2020 and I am wondering what's up with that; but it is providing a feeling of some sort of security, even if that is a misplaced sort of feeling. I didn't pay for any extra support, by the way.

How is that different from tapping into your neighbor's cable TV service so you can watch cable TV without paying for it?

How is that different from you piggy-backing on your neighbor's Internet service so you can get free Internet access?

How is this different from your neighbor buying the latest Star Wars Blu-ray movie, making unauthorized copies of it, then giving it away?

This extended support you talk about is done via a contract between that organization and Microsoft that involves Microsoft supplying patches and fixes - that is, software updates (aka copyrighted intellectual property) to those organizations. I am quite sure those organizations are contractually obligated to control access to those updates.

So not meaning to be rude, but do you really expect those companies, or some "entrusted" employee of those companies to just give them away because you are unwilling to upgrade your computer? :(

And not meaning to be rude, but clearly if you are not "confident" about Windows 10 by now (W10 is almost 5 years old!), then clearly you have failed to do your homework and learn Windows 10, and how easy it is to customize its features. :( Not to mention, there are plenty of fully capable and "FREE" Linux alternatives out there that could be used without asking someone to violate their contracts.

Considering Microsoft announced over 8 years ago (When W8 came out) that Windows 7 support would end, I see no excuse for cheating the system or encouraging those organizations who are paying dearly for that extended support to give it away to others who fail to keep their systems current.

****

What is your point about the Windows MSRT? It is not a "support" tool. It is simply a tool to remove known malicious software from computers running specific operating systems. It does NOT update or fix any bugs in those operating systems. In fact, for most users, it does nothing at all! This is because if properly maintained, none of that known malicious software should be on any of those systems.

I sort of feel for you in some strange human-type way, Digerati, because you must have inner conflicts that cause that sort of supposition to arise from somebody's simple observation of a possibility that is so common within human communications methods.

How did you conclude, or even guess, that I had any sort of criminal intent in my thinking that information could leak out?

I did not even offer that I would actively seek such information.

But you started giving me criminal intent without even asking first.

That is kind of sad. But interesting.

One must not be speculating openly in your presence, it seems.

But I am always speculating about matters in life, and cannot fix that fault of mine. Well, you have given me a feeling it is some sort of fault. I'll have to give that further consideration when time allows.

As for what concerns me about Windows 10, you again seem to jump to conclusions.

What I have concerns about with Windows 10 is that I suspect there are aspects of the control over the workings of the system that have been taken away from the owner of the computer and shifted over to the owner of the operating system.

But I am suspecting the same problem exists throughout the many aspects and cogs and binaries of all sorts of instruments needed these days to keep up with the Joneses in this new computer world we are building.

Like in browsers.

In fact, I have begun to worry whether humans might "control" themselves right out of primary planet controllers in a couple of hundred years or more, when these super smart computers have figured out how to mimic the thinkings of humans themselves.

As for the malicious software combat tool that Microsoft sent me in February, I was simply offering that I was surprised. I was not expecting to see that. I don't know what it means, because I haven't had time to study that bit of Internet/computer business since that day I first saw it sitting there beckoning me to do something with it, like a stray dog sitting outside the door when I step out for my newspaper. I would first wonder how and why the gate was left open.

You see, Digerati, I thought Microsoft had shut that gate.

... ... ...

But I am feeling sort of bad that you drew the conclusion of criminal intent in those very few words I wrote about information leaking out.

Actually, though, you provide me with opportunity for furthering my education. I never even considered that somebody might do any of those things to me. So maybe I should broaden my approach to security. That could mean that I better make my downwind leg a bit longer.

* * * Just a moment, please. As I was reviewing this post before hitting the "Show My Words To The World" button it hit me about a possible conflict within my own mind. What if I use an organization's computer that is receiving support at an office, but when I get home I have a computer of a private style that has that same OS? Just entered my mind, Digerati, so no time yet for criminal planning. See, you've helped further my brain's working on another front. If I hadn't read your answer, that thinking might never have entered my brain. Or been born within my brain. Of course, that begs the question whether our brains are really a collective? Or are we truly independent? * * *

But back to my changing my airfield's traffic pattern --- it is interesting about a downwind, isn't it? It can go in opposite directions at the whim of Mother Nature.

I sometimes wonder how much control Mother Nature has over the progression of this new digital world? Control that we haven't even guessed at, yet? And that is leaving out what God must be thinking about all this digital that and digital this. I wonder, for example, what God will do about a computer that develops a human conscience?

And I absolutely do mean to use "human" in its adjective sense in that question. That allows for the question whether my shepherds have a conscience? Maybe just wondering if the female does? I'm rather sure the male does not.

Please note my liberal use of question marks.

Yep, Digerati, you've got my brain to working way too hard. But I sincerely appreciate that. Need that for the writing of a courtroom brief.

LOL Inner conflict? Not at all. It is crystal clear. It is time for W7 users to move on and upgrade to W10. Period. This is not just for their own protection. But, just as with XP, so their systems don't become compromised then used as weapons against the rest of us to distribute spam or malware, or to be drafted into bot armies in DDoS attacks.

LOL I did no such thing. I find it interesting that you appear to have some guilt there because I never accused you of doing anything illegal. But I note it is you who brought up that this extended support could "sort of be leaked out". If it was perfectly legitimate, why would it need to be leaked out?

If there is any conflict, it is me not understanding why some will go to extremes to rationalize any means possible to get something they don't deserve for free!

As for your office and home scenario, how does that even apply here? The company owns the license for the OS used on the office machine. Not you. If you use the same office supplies at home as you do at work, is it okay to take office supplies home?

***

Microsoft "sent" you the malicious software removal tool? Not sure what you mean by "sent". But I note it has been made available for everyone to download and use for several years now. And it is regularly updated to address current threats.

You wrote that you did no such thing, correct?

I think that is what my eyes are feeding to my brain.

And I will now check and see what I thought my brain was earlier receiving from my eyes, if you'll give me a minute or so, thank you.

Okay, maybe you were writing those lines for someone else to read. Please excuse my error of interpretation of intent when those lines were written by you.

I think it was the use of "your" twice in those first two quote boxes and then the use of "you" three times in those same first two quote boxes up there that had my brain mistakenly thinking those determiners and pronouns were referring to myself. Again, please excuse my error.

Then there were those other references to some sort of illegal behavior, but it seems that was also not intending to imply I would condone such behavior, which I have already made clear that I now understand I was mistaken in analyzing the input from my eyes.

And the use of "sent" was meant to convey that it was "sent" to one of those boxes in my Windows Update thingy. "Sent" on February 11th, by the way.

By the way, you used that vocabulary "deserve" in a sentence, Digerati.

Now, that one word opens up a very interesting door, that I am so glad you have opened.

Well, you just cracked the door open; so I hope you'll excuse me for now kicking it open.

Why do those individuals "deserve" special treatment from Microsoft?

Gee whiz. In paraphrasing, "...thou doth protest too much." :(

Those were rhetorical questions. Sorry if you took them as if I was personally accusing you.

I wasn't and didn't accuse you of anything but with that, I am done discussing the morality, ethics, legitimacy, legality or whatever label you wish to use for using "leaked" updates you (speaking rhetorically again), didn't pay for.

Thanks for clarifying the "sent" issue.