Guest wrote:Numerous ATMs(!!!!!), computers of the armies(!!!!!), of States(!!!!) and so on still are using Windows XP. Even I have 2 Win XP and only one Win 10 computer. Prefer Win XP. Last Windows XP updates I have installed about 2 weeks ago. It is still up to date. Why to prefer the minority of Mac users over the majority (position 2 or 3)? Windows XP is no longer the focus of attacks, but Windows 10 is. Have a lot of fun with your supposedly secure Windows 10.
I'm going to break that run-on sentence down, and refute each claim:
1) Numerous ATMs, computers of the armies, of States and so on still are using Windows XP.
I'd love to concede that this should say that Windows XP is secure because these institutions are using them. However, I can't. The only reason that these systems still run XP, is twofold, but still ends up being for the same reason. Issue one is the hardware, which much of it is old as the hills. The next thing is the software that is running inside the OS. It is phenomenally expensive to replace this software, often more than the hardware. So the root cause for these machines' continued existence is simple -- money! As a case in point, I have a client that runs a machining shop, and has a CNC mill that he paid $50K USD for the software alone (and that I believe was used...) The cost of the new hardware and OS would be roughly $800 USD. However, to get the new software that works on a newer OS, it would cost him $90K USD!
2) Your preferences and possession of machines with XP:
That is your personal preference. Frankly, I loved XP when it was out. Part of me still misses its UI, and the lack of any semblance of security. Those UAC prompts are a bore.
3) Getting updates recently:
The only way you're still getting updates is if you're using the Embedded Systems registry hacks. Kudos that you found them, however, they are not designed with general consumer use, and the patches that are supplied aren't really protecting you from core vulnerabilities inherent in the OS itself. The vendors and Microsoft both know that these systems have the protection of a sieve, so they rely on having strong ingress and egress network firewalls to cover all of the stuff that leaks through the holes in XP's security.
4) The reasoning for preferring a MacOS user is simple:
MacOS is newer than XP and doesn't force them to write code that has gaping holes in security. It's like a toothbrush -- if you use an ancient one, you'll jack up your gums and bleed. So you get a new toothbrush!
5) False sense of security regarding attacks against XP vs 7, 8, or 10:
Frankly, the number of attacks goes up for newer OS's and down for the old OS's because... well... it's obvious? People are upgrading. Upgrades mean you can't get Windows XP easily and *legally*, so you end up with a new OS. Script kiddie hacker wannabes follow the noise, and Windows 10 is making the most noise right now, so the majority of crummy malware is aimed at it. But the smart criminals know that ATMs and other shiny targets are where it's at, so XP is my no means less of a target -- just the ones that are still hacking it are smarter and they wait for ripe targets.
Also a FYI for the last comment: I never said *any* OS is 'secure'. I don't even say that about our military satellites' OS. They aren't secure. They're tough nuts, but I know as fact that military hardware gets hacked and cracked every single day. We just have measures in place to deal with that inevitability.