Advice Request Can anyone still use windows 7 SP1 safely?

[Captain Awesome]

If yes how?

 

[BoraMurdar]

Windows 7 is actively supported by Microsoft. Why do you think it cannot be used safely anymore?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Why do you think it cannot be used safely anymore?

Just curious.

 

[Quassar]

Solid HIPS + Sandbox/Virtualization do job on each OS
Somes banks still use XP

 

[ForgottenSeer 58943]

Windows 7 End of life is approaching rapidly and isn't nearly as secure as Win10. It's also more crash prone and suffers with modern gaming. Can it be used safely? Sure! While it's being actively patched it's still fine.

 

[Weebarra]

Copied from Microsoft site, you can get more information here if you need it https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet

 

[Evjl's Rain]

yes you can
1/ install windows 7 sp1
2/ download and apply never10
3/ update windows to the latest version, if you want
4/ use something with anti-exploit or antiexploit-like feature: kaspersky, eset, hitmanpro.alert, 0patch, malwarebytes anti-exploit, NVT OSArmor, comodo firewall, voodooshield
5/ use syshardener and apply some custom settings
6/ block all inbound connections using your firewall and only allow something you really need or trust
7/ use your firewall to block outbound connections of vulnerable proccesses, you can have a look at syshardener's firewall blocklist as a great example

not sure if 0patch can be helpful to patch vulnerabilities in windows but it worth looking if you don't use windows 10

windows 7 is still one of the best windows versions for very low-end PCs so IMO, it won't die anytime soon
people with low-end machines usually care more about performance than vulnerability

 

[show-Zi]

I am more interested in the opinions of a few users who still use XP.

 

[ForgottenSeer 58943]

Windows 7 runs like crap on low end machines IMO. I have universally found performance improvements on low end boxes with Win10 fresh installs. But ideally, all low end machines should be running a nice Linux or Debian based distro and not even bothering with Windows unless you absolutely must. Then you can dispense with the security theater and this or that tweaks and move on with life. Even a super-low-end laptop runs better on Linux than any Windows OS.

I always disliked Win7. I found it clunky, buggy, crash prone and overall filled with security holes like swiss cheese. But that's me..

Anyone still using XP isn't worth listening to.

 

[Deleted member 178]

I always disliked Win7. I found it clunky, buggy, crash prone and overall filled with security holes like swiss cheese. But that's me..

Anyone still using XP isn't worth listening to.

I totally agree.

 

[JM Safe]

Anyone still using XP isn't worth listening to.

XP was beautiful but now it is too obsolete

 

[Winter Soldier]

XP was beautiful but now it is too obsolete

During my vacation I've seen many internet points were using XP.
Now the question is how many people who use these internet points know the risks by entering sensitive data and information during those sessions.

 

[uninfected1]

Windows 7 is actively supported by Microsoft. Why do you think it cannot be used safely anymore?

i completely agree. Could you please pass on this information to whichever one of your colleagues rated my Windows 7 config Risk: Moderate.

 

[BoraMurdar]

i completely agree. Could you please pass on this information to whichever one of your colleagues rated my Windows 7 config Risk: Moderate.

Your config is not at moderate risk because of that.

 

[JM Safe]

During my vacation I've seen many internet points were using XP.
Now the question is how many people who use these internet points know the risks by entering sensitive data and information during those sessions.

Ahahah XP is not secure, not updated, but still used in all over the world

 

[TairikuOkami]

I am more interested in the opinions of a few users who still use XP.

I used nLited WinXP with IE only and no updates, no firewall, no AV for about a year, not a single infection and I had zero knowledge about security at that time. nLite - Deployment Tool for the bootable Unattended Windows installation - About - it removes tons of stuff that makes XP vulnerable otherwise.

There is a similar tool for 7 - NTLite, I have not used that one too much, the free version is too limited. I ended up experimenting with vLite for Vista.

 

[Ink]

Unsupported platforms pose a bigger risk to Enterprise and Government, since they can be targeted by specialised groups or state-sponsored organisations. Home users need not worry, because their mouse clicks will land them with malware instead.