Whilst I am still running Microsoft Security Essentials on this computer I would highly recommend you do not do so. Microsoft themselves say the program is not good enough so there is no better reason than having the developers condemn their own product. (Laziness keeps me on MSE but I have downloaded both Avast and Avira)

Regarding the security of XP after April I suggest you keep right on using it. But be very diligent about backing up personal data and ensuring your external drive is not left connected to your computer when not in use.

As you note yourself, upgrading your Windows is an expensive proposition and for what little reward?

I have a Shuttle computer with XP and have no plans to get rid of it or replace the operating system

I'm planning to continue using my XP box until I have evidence of a security problem. I usually browse with FF/NoScript and will use IE8 very little. I expect to replace MSE with Avast and will continue to with Malwarebytes-Superantispyware-CCleaner and the occasional ESET online scan. I've already copied off the files I don't want to lose to an external drive so if it does get hacked I will probably install a Linux OS and keep it going until I can get a newer Win computer.

You can use your XP probably for yrs. to come if you keep all else updated such as in your case Avast, I hope you have Malewarebytes? also keep Java and Adobe/Adobe flash updated and all should be just fine.

I disagree with keeping the xp once they stop rolling out the patches it gonna going to near to impossible to ensure that your information is secured regardless of any security programs that you are running. Like Windows 7/8 is horrible enough for security reasons even when being constantly patched. You don't have to take my word for it there is enough security experts out there that are essentially saying yup if you still have an xp then your boned. For example, some sites that are saying this

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/Microsoft-to-end-Windows-XP-support-April-8-5298608.php

http://techrights.org/2013/08/10/back-doors-and-windows/

Believe me (not that you care, but I am getting com sci degree that specializes in information security so I hope my opinion has a little validity to you) the list goes on and on. Xp was a extraordinarily flawed operating system. Point is I would suggest saving your money and retire that thing.

Its people like pipsydoodles above that put fear into people and scare them half to death. Please listen to the others above, and keep everything else updated and go right on using your XP until you yourself decide you want to change operating systems. Its the same thing when 98 support was stopped, and some pushed the panic button, others went on using 98 for a very long time (me included, lol). Dont be forced to change operating systems until you can afford to do so and are ready to do so. Good Luck and enjoy your computer. :-))Cat

"Its people like pipsydoodles above that put fear into people and scare them half to death."

No intent into scaring people (if people are actually getting scared) and I resent that statement if that is what you think I was trying to do. I am just giving an honest and very justified opinion on the matter. The OP is free to do w/e they like to do. However, I think it far more important for the op to be aware that these risk do exist then not.

Any studies or evidence that XPs are more vulnerable without Microsoft's updates as long as reliable firewalls and virus programs are installed --- excluding MSE which (I believe) is not that good.?

Most of the security updates are for IE=internet explorer anyway so if you start having problems with IE then simply download another browser and get any and all updates they send you..

Thanks everyone. A mixed bag of feedback, but mostly stick with XP and keep programs updated and run antispyware and antivirus programs. I do those already. I browse on Firefox and Chrome - never IE.

Thanks Pipsy for your perspective. I hear it - and will keep it in mind. But given those that feel caution is sufficient for now, and my real constriction to switch systems this spring, I will probably continue with all cautions.

Here are some follow up questions from everybody's posts:

1 - Unplugging external drive when not in use. I have a problem because my Synology NAS is always in use - as is one of my two external hard drives. First, I have lots of video stored on both that the family accesses to transfer to our Tivo's to watch on the television. That needs to be plugged in. I also have my desktop and my daughter's Mac esktop set to back up to the NAS weekly.
Owbist - can you (or others) tell me what kind of vulnerability I'm exposing myself too?

2 - Can somebody provide a link and explanation of the ESET online scan? That's one new to me.

3 - I tried NoScript on my firefox and disabled it. Azinoh and the XP security article I mention below, both recommended it. But when I tried it, it was really interfering with a lot of things I was doing. That's been awhile so I dont' remember specifics, but it was just a big pain. Can somebody tell me more about the protection it offers - and are there settings to address how often it popped up and interfered with things?

4 - I do keep flash and java updated. I know many disable java, unfortunately one of the streaming stock programs I run depends on it.

5 - For my work laptop running Windows 7, I had a BSOD from conflicts with Avast. It was a known issue and was recommended to use MSE instead. If MSE isn't that good, should I risk trying Avast again? if there was a conflict in August/September, is it likely fixed since then? anybody know about this?

6 - In another post on this topic, somebody recommended this site/information: http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/securing-xp-pcs-after-microsoft-drops-support/
This site is certainily suggesting to stop with XP - but offers some safety measures if you continue. One was setting up IE so that it can't connect to the internet (but will connect to the homenetwork).

"Disable Web browsing: After support ends next April, consider reconfiguring Windows XP to block its access to the Internet. (Remember: You’ll no longer need IE or Windows Update for system updates from Microsoft.) To do so, open IE, go to Tools/Internet Options, and then click on Connections. Click the LAN settings button (see Figure 1) and then check the “Use a proxy server …” box (see Figure 2). Next, enter 127.0.0.1 into the Address box. Finally, check the “Bypass proxy server for local addresses” box."

Until this week, I had not encountered proxy servers. I stumbled on it bc. in updating my husband's Windows 7 computer, somehow both chrome and FF got reset to use a proxy server and they weren't connecting to the internet. Using Chrome's troubleshooting info, I was able to disable using proxy server. But now that I've seen the setting, I could set up proxy server for just IE.

My question is, will this prevent me from accessing the internet using FF and Chrome (I don't think so but want to be sure)? Is there any reason to do this if I'm the only one in the family with an XP computer and I don't go on IE? Lastly, why do I need to keep IE if I'm not getting Windows updates? is it also for other microsoft updates that I could use (like Word)?

Thank you.
Lynn.

Lynn the reason I advise not keeping the external drive connected is for security. If it is not connected then it cannot be infected so backup data is safe. Until you connect of course but you would not knowingly connect if you had or suspected malware on the computer.

Another reason used to be if the external drive has a fan running, my new drive does not and does not appear to get too warm when in use.