The Risk of still using Win7?

Hello Bleeping Computer Members,

 

I have a question about what is the risk of still using Win7?

 

I list my secure setting and my behavior:

- Avast Free Antivirus

- Comodo Firewall

- Opatch Free

- EMET

- Windows UAC

- Firefox privat browser (strict and all secure settings enabled)

- AdBlock Plus

- UBlock Origin

- TLS 1.2 protocol manualy installed

- Only HTTPS

- Malwarebytes Free

- SpywareBlaster

- CCleaner cleaning browser history cookies and such

- VirusTotal to check suspicious sites before enter or downloaded files

- Always Run scan on system with Avast + Malwarebytes + CCleaner before I do something account stuff what involve money on web

- never open suspicious emails, instantly delete them

 

Win7 x64 Pro

i5-3470 (so no risk for Intel HyperThreading issue)

Gigabyte H77-DS3H (rev1.1)

 

 

What other holes I should patching to secure my things? I plan to use Win7 for another year, till Firefox also EOS Win7.

Edited by Erunosta, 24 December 2023 - 08:40 AM.

Some Opinions.

 

Louis

Edited by Sampei_Nihira, 24 December 2023 - 09:11 AM.

What other holes I should patching to secure my things? I plan to use Win7 for another year, till Firefox also EOS Win7.

 

No software can replace security updates which you're not receiving.

If you so much dislike Window 10 & 11 then it's better to switch to linux rather than using Windows 7, win. 7 is dead.

@erunosta:

Your strategy didn't list:
- frequent data backups to a USB external hard drive and/or cloud service
- frequent system imaging (& driver backups)

Both of these would help - at least to some degree - to recover from a catastrophe (such as data loss, malware, ransomware, identity theft or financial loss). If one runs an obsolete, insecure OS, it's imperative both to practice "safe hex" AND to have a robust backup/recovery plan.

Also: some/many trained malware experts (including some of those who volunteer here at BC) will not assist with malware removal on a system running an obsolete Windows version because of the high risk of reinfection.

One other factor for your risk:benefit calculation: if you cannot upgrade your hardware to a kit that supports a current, supported, security-patched Windows version, you could switch to Linux. Doing so might be safer than continuing to run Windows 7.

Others will likely provide different/better advice.

Win 7 was good in it's day, but as noted, since security updates ended, risky for use on the Internet.

 

I still use Win 7 offline but a Linux distribution ( Puppy ) for all Internet access.

It runs very well on older computers and has decent security, much better than Win 7 today.

 

You might find this info of interest:

https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=6953

 

The security angle with Win 7 is important, but also the availability for drivers for new peripherals.

As time passes, fewer and fewer hardware will be supporting Win 7.

 

It costs nothing and all you need to get started is as simple as a cd/dvd or a flash drive.

You don't even need to uninstall your Win 7.

 

What is the purpose of using uBlock Origin + Adblock Plus?

 

What is the point of using EMET?

It’s too outdated, better use MalwareBytes Anti-Exploit.

 

You can add SandboxiePlus to increase security while browsing.

 

https://github.com/sandboxie-plus/Sandboxie/blob/master/README.md

 

 

P.S.

 

You didn’t write which version of Firefox.

Of course you will use Firefox ESR 115.6.0.

Any other version of Firefox should be dropped immediately.

 

All those are extra layers what might prevent some minor problems to happen.

Yes ofc Firefox is the ESR version. They support it till september of 2024 as far as I know.

Thanks for MalwareBytes Anti-Exploit and SandboxiePlus, I will check theses.

 

 

 

What other holes I should patching to secure my things? I plan to use Win7 for another year, till Firefox also EOS Win7.

 

No software can replace security updates which you're not receiving.

If you so much dislike Window 10 & 11 then it's better to switch to linux rather than using Windows 7, win. 7 is dead.

 

Opatch somewhat patching some of the holes there. I might get paid version for full acces for Win7 patches. But this realy me4an trough those holes my other security programs cant catch these attacks?

 

@erunosta:

Your strategy didn't list:
- frequent data backups to a USB external hard drive and/or cloud service
- frequent system imaging (& driver backups)

Both of these would help - at least to some degree - to recover from a catastrophe (such as data loss, malware, ransomware, identity theft or financial loss). If one runs an obsolete, insecure OS, it's imperative both to practice "safe hex" AND to have a robust backup/recovery plan.

Also: some/many trained malware experts (including some of those who volunteer here at BC) will not assist with malware removal on a system running an obsolete Windows version because of the high risk of reinfection.

One other factor for your risk:benefit calculation: if you cannot upgrade your hardware to a kit that supports a current, supported, security-patched Windows version, you could switch to Linux. Doing so might be safer than continuing to run Windows 7.

Others will likely provide different/better advice.

 

Okay I will do backups then. Thanks

Yes I will switch to Linux Mint once there is no room. I just so stubbornly stick with the system I love. I hate changes.
 

Win 7 was good in it's day, but as noted, since security updates ended, risky for use on the Internet.

 

I still use Win 7 offline but a Linux distribution ( Puppy ) for all Internet access.

It runs very well on older computers and has decent security, much better than Win 7 today.

 

You might find this info of interest:

https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=6953

 

The security angle with Win 7 is important, but also the availability for drivers for new peripherals.

As time passes, fewer and fewer hardware will be supporting Win 7.

 

It costs nothing and all you need to get started is as simple as a cd/dvd or a flash drive.

You don't even need to uninstall your Win 7.

When I switch to Linux (ofc after all data migration from Win7 to Linux) I will drop Win7. I dont want to run two system. Just because of my stubborn behavior and to hate changes as also otherwise this system still work perfectly since 10 years for me I just cant dont want to switch yet.

It's been a while since I've used Win 7 online.

Among the regular security apps and Firefox extensions, I also used the sandbox, Sandboxie.

Time passes and I don't know if it's still appropriate or how well it works today.

 

But here's a link to their current website:

 

https://sandboxie-plus.com/

It's been a while since I've used Win 7 online.

Among the regular security apps and Firefox extensions, I also used the sandbox, Sandboxie.

Time passes and I don't know if it's still appropriate or how well it works today.

 

But here's a link to their current website:

 

https://sandboxie-plus.com/

Thank You

Someone mentioned this above. I just downloaded it and will using. Seems a cool extra defense for browsing.

Okay, now my browser set to run under Sandboxie as also my most used folder set to run in Sandboxie. I wonder if the default security (yellow icon) enough or should I set the red advanced?

Edited by Sampei_Nihira, 24 December 2023 - 01:27 PM.

 

It is not stately necessary to switch to Linux if Firefox ESR support for W.7 ends.

You can equip yourself with other browsers that will support W.7.

Like Pale Moon or this new project (which supports W.Vista):

 

https://github.com/win32ss/supermium

 

Pale Moon is as good as Firefox security wise? Also how you sure it will further support Win7 after Firefox ends?

 

Are you using Win7 too or you just know stuffs about these extra security?

Okay, now my browser set to run under Sandboxie as also my most used folder set to run in Sandboxie. I wonder if the default security (yellow icon) enough or should I set the red advanced?

 

You can ask this question to the developer himself:

 

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/sandboxie-plus-1-12-5.453131/

 

 

It is not stately necessary to switch to Linux if Firefox ESR support for W.7 ends.

You can equip yourself with other browsers that will support W.7.

Like Pale Moon or this new project (which supports W.Vista):

 

https://github.com/win32ss/supermium

 

Pale Moon is as good as Firefox security wise? Also how you sure it will further support Win7 after Firefox ends?

 

Are you using Win7 too or you just know stuffs about these extra security?

 

 

Edited by Sampei_Nihira, 24 December 2023 - 01:47 PM.