What Does This Mean?

[Barsel]

When I turn my computer on, I get a notice at the top of the page that says

'This computer will soon stop receiving Google Chrome updates because Windows XP and Windows Vista will no longer be supported.'

What does this mean and is there anything I should be doing?
Thanks.

[pinkyboyid]

For clarification see:-

http://chrome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/updates-to-chrome-platform-support.html

Suggest you could change to a different Browser such as:-

http://www.firefox.com or http://www.opera.com

[TheChair]

No need to change to a different browser, as you are quite happy running an operating system that is no longer receiving updates, why would you care if your browser is also not receiving updates?

[Barsel]

Sorry I don't really understand this. If I don't need to change my browser, do I need to change the operating system and if I do, then how do I do that.

[VHG]

Both Windows XP and Windows Vista are quite old and Microsoft have (or are about to) stop supporting them.

However upgrading the operating system is no easy task (certainly not for the non-technical). It will also cost you £100 or so to buy a new Windows operating system.

If you are really that worried buy a new PC with Windows 10 (or maybe Windows 7).

p.s. As long as you are careful you should be OK. If you do online banking or other financial transactions on your computer then get a new PC, but for general "home" use of a computer you should be OK.

Just make sure you backup your files regularly "just in case".

[VHG]

I suppose it only fair to explain why this problem exists.

Windows is a huge program with millions and millions of lines of computer code.

When writing computer programs sometimes "security holes" are left in the code (by accident not by design).

Hackers and scammers are always looking for these security holes so they can download their viruses and other nasty programs.

Whenever Microsoft finds one of these security holes (or someone tells them about one) they fix it and provide an update that we can all download.

However as software gets older and older it can be a lot of work to maintain many versions of a piece of software (like Windows) so often the older versions go out of support and no more security fixes are provided.

That is how it is with Windows XP and soon will be with Windows Vista.

And if no more security fixes are being provided you are becoming more open to viruses and other nasties.

Many people (millions) still run Windows XP which has been out of support for ages, so it is up to you if you want to take the risk.

[bhg481]

When VHG says "back up your files" he means to an external, separate disk. Some viruses will wreck data on all disks connected to your computer, so it is wise to have a removable disk that you only connect at the time you want to do a backup.

[Barsel]

Thanks very much for your answers.