David Somers
10-29-2013, 2:18 PM
Hey everyone,
Soooo. I am less than a newbie when it comes to engravers since I don't even own one of these puppies yet. I have been using the forum to decide if this is the right thing for me, and to get a decent idea as to their capabilities and foibles, and also been using it to decide just what to throw my money at if I do make the leap. I am very grateful to everyone for the ability to browse through all your past discussions and for all the time you have spent answering my questions.
As a sub-newbie I can't contribute a great deal back to the forum. But one thing I can offer is a bit of computer advice. IT is my day job and I work on everything from end user support up through Local and Wide Area Networks and servers and routers and switches and VOIP, etc.
I noticed many of us are still using XP on the computers that are being used with our lasers. I wanted to remind everyone that April of 2014 is the drop dead date for XP; the date when XP will no longer be patched and receive security updates. After that time it will become more and more vulnerable to a virus or malware attack. Since many of us on the forum do this for a living infected computers could be very unfortunate on a lot of levels.
Keep in mind that even though XP is still being patched today it is becoming more vulnerable over time regardless. Security on a computer is really a combination of things; a fully patched current Operating System, an up to date antivirus package and malware package, a solid firewall, and some awareness on your part as to the web sites you go to and the things you open. I would rank a fully patched current Operating System at the top of the list of things protecting you, along with your firewall and your level of awareness. A fully patched Windows XP system is simply not as good at protecting itself as a fully patched Window 7 or Windows 8 system.
In fact, Microsoft just came out with its annual security research report and it clearly shows that XP, when fully patched, is being infected at roughly twice the rate of patched Windows 7 machines, and about 6 times the rate of patched Windows 8 machines. In other words, Windows XP can be a liability to you right now, well before its April drop dead date. If you are still using XP you should be giving some serious thought to upgrading.
I don't think I would suggest you go to Windows 8 yet for use with your lasers, but Windows 7 seems mature enough not to be causing you problems if this Forum is any indication. If you need to continue to use XP though at least do it with open eyes and awareness as to the risks you may be taking. And do give some serious thought to replacing it well ahead of the April date.
There are certainly valid reasons to stay on XP. Perhaps you have old equipment that simply does not communicate well with the newer Operating Systems. Perhaps you just don't have the dollars available to make the change. My real concern though is that you make that decision conciously, aware of the risks, and that you address the risks as best you can for your circumstances. Don't just let inertia dictate your path.
If you do need to continue using an XP system I think I would take time to insure it is a clean system, and then isolate it from the internet. You still have risks to it by transferring files back and forth to other machines that are on the internet, but at least your exposure is reduced some. And obviously keep your antivirus/anti-malware and firewalls current.
I hope this helps some of you. And many many thanks to you folks for all the kindly offered information.
Dave
Soooo. I am less than a newbie when it comes to engravers since I don't even own one of these puppies yet. I have been using the forum to decide if this is the right thing for me, and to get a decent idea as to their capabilities and foibles, and also been using it to decide just what to throw my money at if I do make the leap. I am very grateful to everyone for the ability to browse through all your past discussions and for all the time you have spent answering my questions.
As a sub-newbie I can't contribute a great deal back to the forum. But one thing I can offer is a bit of computer advice. IT is my day job and I work on everything from end user support up through Local and Wide Area Networks and servers and routers and switches and VOIP, etc.
I noticed many of us are still using XP on the computers that are being used with our lasers. I wanted to remind everyone that April of 2014 is the drop dead date for XP; the date when XP will no longer be patched and receive security updates. After that time it will become more and more vulnerable to a virus or malware attack. Since many of us on the forum do this for a living infected computers could be very unfortunate on a lot of levels.
Keep in mind that even though XP is still being patched today it is becoming more vulnerable over time regardless. Security on a computer is really a combination of things; a fully patched current Operating System, an up to date antivirus package and malware package, a solid firewall, and some awareness on your part as to the web sites you go to and the things you open. I would rank a fully patched current Operating System at the top of the list of things protecting you, along with your firewall and your level of awareness. A fully patched Windows XP system is simply not as good at protecting itself as a fully patched Window 7 or Windows 8 system.
In fact, Microsoft just came out with its annual security research report and it clearly shows that XP, when fully patched, is being infected at roughly twice the rate of patched Windows 7 machines, and about 6 times the rate of patched Windows 8 machines. In other words, Windows XP can be a liability to you right now, well before its April drop dead date. If you are still using XP you should be giving some serious thought to upgrading.
I don't think I would suggest you go to Windows 8 yet for use with your lasers, but Windows 7 seems mature enough not to be causing you problems if this Forum is any indication. If you need to continue to use XP though at least do it with open eyes and awareness as to the risks you may be taking. And do give some serious thought to replacing it well ahead of the April date.
There are certainly valid reasons to stay on XP. Perhaps you have old equipment that simply does not communicate well with the newer Operating Systems. Perhaps you just don't have the dollars available to make the change. My real concern though is that you make that decision conciously, aware of the risks, and that you address the risks as best you can for your circumstances. Don't just let inertia dictate your path.
If you do need to continue using an XP system I think I would take time to insure it is a clean system, and then isolate it from the internet. You still have risks to it by transferring files back and forth to other machines that are on the internet, but at least your exposure is reduced some. And obviously keep your antivirus/anti-malware and firewalls current.
I hope this helps some of you. And many many thanks to you folks for all the kindly offered information.
Dave