Disclosure: I am not an early adopter of technology. DH and I have OLD HP Pavilion desktop computers running Vista Home Premium. His is 2009 and mine is 2008. He uses Mozilla's browser and I use Google. Both computers are still working...a little slow at times, and more and more websites don't support Vista. Recently, we had a GEEK from Best Buy out to clean things up a bit and he told us that we were endangering our private info by not upgrading the newest machines and OS's etc. Said that everytime we logged in to anything we might as well be handing our passwords etc to our neighbors. We are hardwired not WiFi by the way. The GEEK wanted us to let him find a system for us and he'd bring it out and do the set up...made a point to say he didn't get commission etc. Are we really in Fire Alarm peril here? I had planned to get new systems later this year... just not right now. So... Tech ObiWan's do I really need to upgrade systems right now??thankscts

First of all the main thing you need to do is BACK UP all your documents, pictures, etc....anything of value... on both computers. Just get an inexpensive external hard drive and copy to it. That way if you do get some sort of malware you will be able to ditch those old computers and upgrade.But yes, he is right, many viruses take advantage of outdated operating systems and their security flaws. If you are happy dealing with Best Buy and want support from the Geek Squad, I suggest you go to a store at a non-busy time, and tell them what you need--a basic desktop tower. You should have several options under $500. Schedule an appointment to have someone come and show you the ropes of Windows 10, and set it up the way you want it. It can be configured to LOOK a lot like your older systems but work MUCH better.

covetsthesun wrote:Disclosure: I am not an early adopter of technology. DH and I have OLD HP Pavilion desktop computers running Vista Home Premium. His is 2009 and mine is 2008. He uses Mozilla's browser and I use Google. Both computers are still working...a little slow at times, and more and more websites don't support Vista. Recently, we had a GEEK from Best Buy out to clean things up a bit and he told us that we were endangering our private info by not upgrading the newest machines and OS's etc. Said that everytime we logged in to anything we might as well be handing our passwords etc to our neighbors. We are hardwired not WiFi by the way. The GEEK wanted us to let him find a system for us and he'd bring it out and do the set up...made a point to say he didn't get commission etc. Are we really in Fire Alarm peril here? I had planned to get new systems later this year... just not right now. So... Tech ObiWan's do I really need to upgrade systems right now??thanksctsAs long as you are using an anti-virus/malware program, keeping it updated, and being watchful of the websites you visit; you are no more vulnerable than others. Make sure you have a backup of anything important to you that is not on the same drive.Microsoft no longer supports Vista and there maybe issues that will come up that it can't handle, which you will be exposed to.On the other hand you may be missing out on some content because of compatibility problems but if you are okay with the experience you are receiving that alone is not a reason to update.

Unless you are doing some heavy computing, desktops are so 90s. VerY few of them sold any more. Laptops and tablets are far more handy for the average household. I can do everything on my tablet except graphic design and heavy duty word processing. Neither of which I no longer do. Heck my tablet generally sits unused 95% of the time. I use it for picture transfer and to back up to my external hard drive and thats about all.If your looking to upgrade, think long and hard about what you need and how you use it before spending dollars on anything.

We have Kaspersky on both computers and it's updated automatically. We haven't had malware/virus issues since we've had K. I am very careful about websites and never click on ads. I do some research and do online banking etc. And I do use the word processor. I also just like the full size keyboard of a desk top. Tried a laptop a few times and just did not like them. At all. I type very fast and find laptop/tablets too awkward for me to use. DH likes to sit back and browse on his desktop...music videos... movies he has on disks. He also takes a lot of photos and likes to play around with them. He'd like to have a larger monitor. Laptop/tablet would not work for him either. We've considered a tablet for travel..or just getting an Iphone. The external hard drive sounds like something we really need to do. Especially for DH's photo collection! I was mainly concerned about hacking, virus and malware issues. We both log on to financials, email etc.

covetsthesun wrote:We have Kaspersky on both computers and it's updated automatically. We haven't had malware/virus issues since we've had K. I am very careful about websites and never click on ads. .Two thoughts: If you do decide to upgrade and update with a new computer, consider an SSD (solid state drive - very fast, very stable and reliable). That would be the way to go to stay, "now."Also, Kaspersky has fallen out of favor with most everyone because it it a Russian company with strong ties to the Russian Govt. and their spy agencies.

New desktop computer? | Good Sam Community

coolmom42
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2017
First of all the main thing you need to do is BACK UP all your documents, pictures, etc....anything of value... on both computers. Just get an inexpensive external hard drive and copy to it.

That way if you do get some sort of malware you will be able to ditch those old computers and upgrade.

But yes, he is right, many viruses take advantage of outdated operating systems and their security flaws.

If you are happy dealing with Best Buy and want support from the Geek Squad, I suggest you go to a store at a non-busy time, and tell them what you need--a basic desktop tower. You should have several options under $500.

Schedule an appointment to have someone come and show you the ropes of Windows 10, and set it up the way you want it. It can be configured to LOOK a lot like your older systems but work MUCH better.
delwhjr
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
covetsthesun wrote:
Disclosure: I am not an early adopter of technology. DH and I have OLD HP Pavilion desktop computers running Vista Home Premium. His is 2009 and mine is 2008. He uses Mozilla's browser and I use Google.

Both computers are still working...a little slow at times, and more and more websites don't support Vista. Recently, we had a GEEK from Best Buy out to clean things up a bit and he told us that we were endangering our private info by not upgrading the newest machines and OS's etc. Said that everytime we logged in to anything we might as well be handing our passwords etc to our neighbors. We are hardwired not WiFi by the way.

The GEEK wanted us to let him find a system for us and he'd bring it out and do the set up...made a point to say he didn't get commission etc.

Are we really in Fire Alarm peril here? I had planned to get new systems later this year... just not right now.

So... Tech ObiWan's do I really need to upgrade systems right now??

thanks
cts

As long as you are using an anti-virus/malware program, keeping it updated, and being watchful of the websites you visit; you are no more vulnerable than others. Make sure you have a backup of anything important to you that is not on the same drive.
Microsoft no longer supports Vista and there maybe issues that will come up that it can't handle, which you will be exposed to.
On the other hand you may be missing out on some content because of compatibility problems but if you are okay with the experience you are receiving that alone is not a reason to update.
donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2017
Unless you are doing some heavy computing, desktops are so 90s. VerY few of them sold any more. Laptops and tablets are far more handy for the average household. I can do everything on my tablet except graphic design and heavy duty word processing. Neither of which I no longer do. Heck my tablet generally sits unused 95% of the time. I use it for picture transfer and to back up to my external hard drive and thats about all.
If your looking to upgrade, think long and hard about what you need and how you use it before spending dollars on anything.
covetsthesun
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
We have Kaspersky on both computers and it's updated automatically. We haven't had malware/virus issues since we've had K. I am very careful about websites and never click on ads.

I do some research and do online banking etc. And I do use the word processor. I also just like the full size keyboard of a desk top. Tried a laptop a few times and just did not like them. At all. I type very fast and find laptop/tablets too awkward for me to use. DH likes to sit back and browse on his desktop...music videos... movies he has on disks. He also takes a lot of photos and likes to play around with them. He'd like to have a larger monitor. Laptop/tablet would not work for him either.

We've considered a tablet for travel..or just getting an Iphone.

The external hard drive sounds like something we really need to do. Especially for DH's photo collection!

I was mainly concerned about hacking, virus and malware issues. We both log on to financials, email etc.
downtheroad
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
covetsthesun wrote:
We have Kaspersky on both computers and it's updated automatically. We haven't had malware/virus issues since we've had K. I am very careful about websites and never click on ads. .

Two thoughts: If you do decide to upgrade and update with a new computer, consider an SSD (solid state drive - very fast, very stable and reliable). That would be the way to go to stay, "now."

Also, Kaspersky has fallen out of favor with most everyone because it it a Russian company with strong ties to the Russian Govt. and their spy agencies.
sherlock62
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
snipe:
downtheroad wrote:

Also, Kaspersky has fallen out of favor with most everyone because it it a Russian company with strong ties to the Russian Govt. and their spy agencies.

Overstatement to say "most everyone". Millions and millions of people across the globe (yea, many in the USA) use Kaspersky Lab anti-virus and
continue to do so. I know better then to believe pure crapola...
downtheroad
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
sherlock62 wrote:
Overstatement to say "most everyone". Millions and millions of people across the globe (yea, many in the USA) use Kaspersky Lab anti-virus and
continue to do so. I know better then to believe pure crapola...

Just passing on some info....take it as you will - crapola or truth.

FBI Warns about Kasperski
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Aug 28, 2017
As mentioned in the article: "no proof has been put forth to support these beliefs", and "Other apps, services and even operating systems collect user information and send it back to their respective companies though these practices have gone unnoticed as they operate in America and other Western countries."

Considering the source, I'll go with crapola. Very little truth coming out of the capitol.
sherlock62
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
downtheroad wrote:
sherlock62 wrote:
Overstatement to say "most everyone". Millions and millions of people across the globe (yea, many in the USA) use Kaspersky Lab anti-virus and
continue to do so. I know better then to believe pure crapola...

Just passing on some info....take it as you will - crapola or truth.

FBI Warns about Kasperski

CRAPOLA
AsheGuy
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
covetsthesun wrote:
I do some research and do online banking etc. And I do use the word processor. I also just like the full size keyboard of a desk top. Tried a laptop a few times and just did not like them. At all. I type very fast and find laptop/tablets too awkward for me to use. DH likes to sit back and browse on his desktop...music videos... movies he has on disks. He also takes a lot of photos and likes to play around with them. He'd like to have a larger monitor. Laptop/tablet would not work for him either.
I am with you on the keyboard. I have desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone (android not iPhone) and I too prefer the desktop/laptop for most purposes. My tablet only gets used as a look into that world, it has no other usefulness to me but that is because I use PC applications like photo editing, website creation, document creation/editing, etc.

covetsthesun wrote:
We've considered a tablet for travel..or just getting an Iphone.
Smartphones are more useful for travel than a tablet in my opinion although my laptop always goes along.

covetsthesun wrote:
The external hard drive sounds like something we really need to do. Especially for DH's photo collection!
Photo backup is a must. I have HD and cloud backup and prefer the cloud (Google Photos) as you have backup and access from any device.

covetsthesun wrote:
I was mainly concerned about hacking, virus and malware issues. We both log on to financials, email etc.
Your usage and awareness of pitfalls on the Internet makes your exposure low especially with a good antivirus. I would not base a computer purchase on this risk. Now to get additional function and faster speed, maybe. But then you seem OK with the function and speed you have.

Just my opinions. Others will obviously vary. :)

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