Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, and Windows ME Courtesy of Nashville Home Linux Solutions

Important information for users of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, and Windows ME courtesy of Nashville Home Linux Solutions FACT: As of July 2006, Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, and Windows ME (Millennium Edition). What does this mean for you? Microsoft©s end-of-support announcement means that users of Windows 95, 98, and ME will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, and other patches for their computer©s operating system. It also means that future releases of Microsoft software (such as Media Player, Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express) will no longer support these operating systems. Users of these versions of Windows will not benefit from enhanced features and security in these new versions. Why should I be concerned? Windows 95, 98, and ME are based around the DOS operating system, an inherently insecure operating system. Users of DOS-based Windows will become increasingly at risk for viruses, spyware, malware, and system intrusions as new holes and exploits are discovered in these operating systems and the older software that runs on them. In addition, software vendors (including makers of anti-virus and other security products) will be phasing out support for these operating systems now that Microsoft has ended its support. If you are connecting your DOS-based Windows operating system to the Internet, you need to take action to secure your computer. What are my options? If you would like to continue to operate on your current hardware, you have a few options available to you: 1. Upgrade Windows Microsoft©s only currently-available Windows workstation operating system is Windows XP (Home or Professional). Although Microsoft recommends lower specifications, most users find that XP will not run satisfactorily on less than the following: ● P4 1000 MHz ● 256 MB RAM ● 20 GB Hard drive Current retail prices for Windows XP are $100 (Home Edition) and $200 (Professional). Before installing, make sure you check with Microsoft about compatibility with your hardware and software. Retail sale of Windows XP is scheduled to end 12 months from the general release of Windows Vista. 2. Secure your current Windows OS If you choose to continue using Windows 95, 98, or ME, we strongly advise you to follow good security practices on the Internet and be consistent with them. See the end of this article for some ªbest practicesº rules on using Windows on the Internet. Be advised, however, that even with good security practices, the discovery of any new holes or exploits in these operating systems will leave your computer open to attack. Back up your data and be prepared to reinstall your operating system should you get seriously infected. 3. Migrate to Linux Linux is an alternative operating system for PC©s that has been under development since the early 1990©s. It is based on Unix, a robust and secure system used on mainframes and servers since the 1960©s, but in recent years it has been modernized and made more user-friendly for home users. Linux is not a single product, but a whole family of products (often called distributions) made by a variety of companies, organizations, or individuals. Linux is free and open-source, and typically comes bundled with a variety of open-source applications which are also free. Unlike Windows, even the most recent versions of Linux can be scaled down to work with older hardware. This means that you can have a new, secure operating system on your current hardware. Because it is a different platform, Linux does not run software written for Windows; thus it is not always a good choice for those who need to run specific software titles. However, free alternatives exist for most common (and many not-so-common) tasks, so for most standard uses of a computer Linux is a great choice. Windows Security Tips Although highly recommended for users of Windows 95, 98, and ME, these practices should be followed by anyone using Microsoft Windows: ● Install an anti-virus program ± and USE IT! There are over 10,000 known viruses for Windows, and more are being written constantly. This means that you should install an up-to-date anti-virus program and make sure to update it regularly. You also need to make sure to scan regularly for viruses. Many people install anti- virus then never update or use it; this is like buying a home alarm and never turning it on! How much use is that? ● Install a firewall or use a firewalled router A firewall is a device or program that can block incoming or outgoing network traffic based on what kind of service is being used (email, web browsing, or peer-to-peer traffic, for example). If you are on a broadband connection and have a home network, you probably have a firewall built into your router, and may have one built into your cable or DSL modem. If you connect using dial-up, you should purchase good firewall software and make sure to use it whenever you connect. ● Install and regularly use a malware-scanner Malware (a.k.a. adware, spyware) is a term used to describe any malicious software that is not technically a virus. It is typically downloaded as part of another program or inadvertently while browsing the web. Malware can cause a variety of problems from random pop-up windows to random crashes to identity theft. Malware is a huge problem, perhaps much bigger than viruses; some statistics indicate that as many as 80 percent of home computers are infected with malware. If your anti-virus program does not include a good malware scanner, you should purchase or download one and scan with it regularly. ● Don©t use unsafe, highly-targeted software Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are two of the most common pieces of software used on the Internet today, and both are known to have a variety of security problems. For these reasons, both are targeted for attack by a large percentage of viruses and malware. Use safer, more secure alternatives to these programs; such as Firefox or Opera (for web browsing) and Thunderbird for email. ● Be a ªdefensive browserº Be careful about what sort of websites you frequent on the Internet. Malware and viruses can be found at a variety of sites, but they tend to be found more readily on the ªseedierº side of the web. Stick to well-known, reputable sites and avoid sites that contain pornography, gambling, or illegal software downloads. Also, be suspicious of any website that tries to install software on your computer. Read any pop-ups carefully and when in doubt, exit from your browser and don©t go back! ● Be a ªdefensive downloaderº Downloaded software is a major source of malware and viruses. Never download and install software unless it is from a reputable, legal source. Never download ªwarezº or cracked software. Never open email attachments, even from people you know, unless you know for sure what they contain; many viruses have been spread through infected image files, so be careful even opening pictures that someone sends you. Be very careful about free software: some common programs used to hide malware include screen savers, browser ªtoolbarsº, games, weather reporting tools, system enhancement utilities, and even anti-spyware tools! Be on the defensive; when in doubt, just go without! This information has been provided by Nashville Home Linux Solutions. Please see http://www.alandmoore.com/linux for more information about our services..

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