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.

She may have installed a hide ip type program for security most likely. Which connects to a proxy server then that proxy server goes to web address's she wants and resends data to her. Might look in the Control Panel at 'Internet Options' 'Connections' LAN button and uncheck the proxy server. And/Or find and uninstall the hide ip proxy program she installed.

I truly appreciate all your help mikie!It is so difficult for me to explain exactly what is going on.I only know computer basics and just enough terminology to be confusing. LOL Currently,I am connecting to the internet by going to Earthlink.net and clicking on the set up button. I am accessing my e-mail through Earthlink.net, too. That is the only way I can connect to webpages.I can no longer connect using on desktop icons or by going to internet connections. The problem started when I allowed a Belkin auto setup to program my wireless router to my computer. Even if I disconnect the router and try to connect the way I did before the router I still can not connect through my computer. The only reason I mentioned proxy server was that when earthlink had me join teamviewer4, teamviewer4 stated I was on a proxy server and that I needed to connect with my computer connection. I am basing my statement on that info. I may not be on a proxy server. Is connecting through Earthlink.net connecting to a proxy server? I have not called earthlink back yet as the tech seems to get frustrated with my problem before it can be corrected. Also, it is a minimum 1 hour call each time.

Sorry I do not distribute other peoples proxy addresses. You just have to take some time to find some good ones. There are literally hundreds of sites listing them. It helps to kep yopur proxies as close to your geographical location as possible for the best latency and response times. The other boxes are for protocols other than the HTTP protocol (insecure web surfing): SSL Proxy: is Secure Socket Layer for secure web surfing on webservers that support it. It offers 128 bit data encryption between any 2 points so if anyone sniifs or intercepts the communication, the data is encrypted (scrambled or jumbles beyond comprehension). This is often used for secure online purchases and on sites where user information and any data transfered is of a private or confidential nature. FTP Proxy: is File Transfer Protocol. This is used mainly for uploding content to web space, and some use it for visitor downloads because it uses less server resources (ram allocation) than the http protocol, so it makes sense for larger files. Gopher Proxy: is The Gopher Protocol, and is a distributed document search and retrieval network protocol designed for the Internet. Its goal is to function as an improved form of Anonymous FTP, with features similar to that of the World Wide Web. The Gopher protocol offers some features not natively supported by the Web and imposes a much stronger hierarchy on information stored on it. SOCKS v.4 and v.5 Host: Socks protocol provides a framework for client-server applications in both the TCP and UDP domains to conveniently and securely use the services of a network firewall. The protocol is conceptually a "shim-layer" between the application layer and the transport layer, and as such does not provide network layer gateway services, such as forwarding of ICMP messages. This is an application layer protocol, but finding a socks server working on the specific port that you need could be a duanting task. There really is no reason to use this unless an organization you are affiliated with is running a socks proxy for you for use of a certain application(s) for client to server connectivity using the security of their network instead of yours. No Proxy For: is a place to enter addresses that you will not use a proxy for. 127.0.0.1 and localhost are you, your internal loopback interface. Connecting to those are connecting to your own computer. If you run a webserver or other server and want to connect to yourself, then it wont go through the proxy. Enter the addresses here for the ones you wish to visit and not go through a proxy. Automatic Proxy Configuration URL: is for organizations who want to synchronize all of their users under the same proxy configurations automatically. Users click on this link and automatically set up their proxy configuration to their organizations defaul setup. Yes you can turn it off and on with ease or set it up for automated usage depending on the sites you visit.