Originally Posted by
mixture
Here we go again !
Anti-virus and any other software
WILL NOT protect you from XP vulnerabilities.
Stamping the feet rarely convinces anyone to change their mind.
I think most of us are aware that ONCE THE VIRUS HAS GOT IN, then AV and other software won't protect against it. However, it's got to get past the router and its firewall, and then the AV, and then be clicked on (or activated in another way) before it can do its thing. That's the same whether it's an XP virus, or a Win 7 one, or a non-specific one.
If I banged my head on the wall at these folks, their bottom lips would quiver and they wouldn't talk to me any more. Right now, I'm the chap who sorted out their recalcitrant PCs, installed (free) anti-virus, and set up their broadband for them. In most cases I also got Skype working so they can chat with the family. They trust me.
They aren't going to spend a week's pension money on Microsoft stuff (especially not after they've heard the horror stories from the treasurer, who bought a Win 8 laptop a few months ago). I'm also not going to spend the next few weeks of my life going around installing Linux and then being forever after responsible for everything that goes wrong with their (old) machines. That isn't my primary role in this community.