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.

"when I clicked on "help" (which, b.t.w., I had never even NOTICED before, it said: "A.T.&T. Yahoo HELP" .. guess that means that is my "CONNECTION" .. right? RIGHT??" If you were to click the "ATT Yahoo Help" line, you will be directed to an ATT HELP webpage, where they have a troubleshooting guide. You type in your problem in the form of a key word, then it will try to solve said problem for you. As per the idea that ATT Yahoo browser is part of your "MY CONNECTION", or is related to being a device that connects your computer, your modem to your dsl phoneline, or to the internet, no, this is not the case. Realize that the DSL modem that ATT provided (or maybe you provided your own)connects your computer to the dsl feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even if your computer is off, the dsl feed is still comming in to your home and is ready to go as soon as you turn it on. ATT Yahoo gives you the browser, or "browser enhancement" when you sign up for the service because they want you to use it. They make money from advertizing. It comes with Yahoo! as its default homepage, and most people will just go with whatever the default homepage might be. When you sign up to dsl, they will tell you when the "switch" will be turned on from the phone company. After it is turned on, you hook up your modem to your computer and to your phone jack (with the little dsl filter box), and bam, that's it. Your computer is ready to go online. I believe that there may be a matter of setting up a LAN setting in the Network Connections area in the control panel, very simple, something that ATT will privide the instructions for, or walk you through, but none of the software they give you has to be installed. I personally like the software OK, but it is provided primarily to encourage its customers to stay on their sites, and ultimately increase their advertising revenues. --J

ravencajun... When signing into my yahoo account,They said my account has been compromised. Whenever I signed in, it said check Need help signing in to Yahoo!? * Enter the text you see in the picture. To ensure the security of your account we require you to complete this sign-in verification after five failed attempts to sign in. * Is the "Caps Lock" or "A" light on your keyboard on? If so, hit "Caps Lock" key before trying again. * Did you forget or misspell your ID or password? You can recover your ID and/or password by confirming your private information. * Still having trouble? Try sign-in help. * Did you forget to include your full Yahoo! ID? If so, please remember to use your full Yahoo! ID (e.g. free2rhyme@yahoo.com) to sign in.

Here's the issue with firefox, FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.babTrack - affID=109936&tt=100512_2_ FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.babExt - FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.srcExt - ss FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.id - b8457168000000000000bc7737387210 FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.hardId - b8457168000000000000bc7737387210 FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.instlDay - 15473 FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.vrsn - 1.5.3.17 FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.vrsni - 1.5.3.17 FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.vrsnTs - 1.5.3.1715:35:37 FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.prtnrId - babylon FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.prdct - BabylonToolbar FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.aflt - babsst FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.smplGrp - none FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.tlbrId - tb9 FF - user.js: extensions.BabylonToolbar_i.instlRef - sst FF - user.js: network.protocol-handler.warn-external.dnupdate - false FF - user.js: browser.sessionstore.resume_from_crash - false We will be getting rid of that, by running the tools above.