Are old apps a security threat?


Haydon

Well-known member
Power User
VIP
Local time
8:04 AM
Posts
1,992
OS
Windows 10 Pro
Google seems to think so

How about MS? Are old Windows apps a security threat?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
Is driving an old East German trabant on a current German motorway with no speed limits dangerous !!!!!

Screenshot_20220420_115002.png

If they weren't then why did Ms ever get rid of the incredibly popular XP system and the brilliant simple email program it had : Outlook Express. Old apps are fine provided you have decent protection. The best way for running ol;d apps is to run them on a properly secured Virtual machine.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
Is driving an old East German trabant on a current German motorway with no speed limits dangerous !!!!!
NO, because it would break down before you even get to the motor-/highway 😂
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296 (Release Channel) / Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo A485
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
    Motherboard
    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    iGPU Vega 10
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
    Screen Resolution
    FHD + FHD + 1440p
    Hard Drives
    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
    PSU
    65W
    Keyboard
    Thinkpad / Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    SecureBoot: Enabled
    TPM2.0: Enabled
    AMD-V: Enabled
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296(Release Preview Channel)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME Z270-A
    Memory
    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Cromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    AC WiFi Card
Are old Windows apps a security threat?

It is impossible to say.
- If an old app contains a security vulnerability then the answer is, Yes.
- If an old app does not contain a security vulnerability then the answer is, No.
But, unless you are going to devote your life to studying all security vulnerability announcements, one method of hopefully-reducing vulnerabilities is to keep everything up to date.
- A new or updated app might or might not contain a security vulnerability that has not yet been patched.

All the best,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
NO, because it would break down before you even get to the motor-/highway 😂

I remember being in Hamburg shortly after the wall opened (1989 - Gosh is it that long ago) and was in a decent fast Merc along A7 near Altona Fish market - and there were a load of these these "smoking stinking trabbis" --they actually ran on 2-stroke - Gasoline + oil mix spewing out more noxious black / blue smoke than some of the modern plastic wrappings when lit).

They hadn't a clue about cars regularly doing 190 Kmh and over while they were weaving and changing lines at around 45 kmh (if they were lucky enough to go that "fast"). I can do that these days on a BICYCLE (and not even an electric one) in short bursts -- and I'm not that fit any more --afraid the Military training --long gone !!!! !!!!

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
If they weren't then why did Ms ever get rid of the incredibly popular XP system and the brilliant simple email program it had : Outlook Express. Old apps are fine provided you have decent protection. The best way for running ol;d apps is to run them on a properly secured Virtual machine.

Cheers
jimbo
To make money?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i8400
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME Z370-P
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT710
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar D2X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SE2417HGXF Full HD Gaming Monitor, 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung V-NAND SSD 860EVO
    Other spinning HDDs
    PSU
    Xilence XP420
    Cooling
    PSU fan and stock CPU fan
    Mouse
    Microsoft
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avira free
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 on VMware (Release, Beta and Dev)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I remember being in Hamburg shortly after the wall opened (1989 - Gosh is it that long ago) and was in a decent fast Merc along A7 near Altona Fish market - and there were a load of these these "smoking stinking trabbis" --they actually ran on 2-stroke - Gasoline + oil mix spewing out more noxious black / blue smoke than some of the modern plastic wrappings when lit).

They hadn't a clue about cars regularly doing 190 Kmh and over while they were weaving and changing lines at around 45 kmh (if they were lucky enough to go that "fast"). I can do that these days on a BICYCLE (and not even an electric one) in short bursts -- and I'm not that fit any more --afraid the Military training --long gone !!!! !!!!

Cheers
jimbo
I understand about driving in Germany, was there in '90 as part of tour of the Alps. Rented a car in Frankfort to visit family in Mannheim, 160KM [102MPH] was nice in the free upgrade to a Mercedes 190E.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Back to regular programming, is your old (licensed) Photoshop still safe to use?

How about your other golden oldies, Adobe or otherwise? Are they a security threat?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
I remember being in Hamburg shortly after the wall opened (1989 - Gosh is it that long ago) and was in a decent fast Merc along A7 near Altona Fish market - and there were a load of these these "smoking stinking trabbis" --they actually ran on 2-stroke - Gasoline + oil mix spewing out more noxious black / blue smoke than some of the modern plastic wrappings when lit).

They hadn't a clue about cars regularly doing 190 Kmh and over while they were weaving and changing lines at around 45 kmh (if they were lucky enough to go that "fast"). I can do that these days on a BICYCLE (and not even an electric one) in short bursts -- and I'm not that fit any more --afraid the Military training --long gone !!!! !!!!

Cheers
jimbo
You done 190kph or 45kph on a bike? Lol im also gonna assume it was road bike, I can get around 30mph(48kph) going down a fire road/certain trails on my downhill mtb xD!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    10700k@5.2
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Gaming X Z490
    Memory
    Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 4k HDR, Two 1080p Benq and Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160/2560x1440/1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1tb
    Samsung EVO 870 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair RX 650
    Case
    NZXT h510
    Cooling
    CM HYPER 212 RGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata Chroma
    Mouse
    Steelseries Rival 710
You done 190kph or 45kph on a bike? Lol im also gonna assume it was road bike, I can get around 30mph(48kph) going down a fire road/certain trails on my downhill mtb xD!
Hi there

190 kph on a bike -- maybe a "Born Again Biker on a Harley " but a push bike !!! -- 45 kph !! that's more like it.

Note modern push bikes are incredibly light with ceramics etc -- but not cheap --I LOVE them -- I use an Electric one regularly even here in Iceland where cyclists are still as rare as "Hens Teeth" and for exercise I get the non electric push bike out if it's not too windy.

A lot of counties could learn from Holland and Denmark on making these things safer generally. I love seeing some TV pics of cyclists in New York City of all places having a go against "Yellow Taxis" and traffic generally -- I think I'd rather take a risk on illegally riding in LA on the 101 Hollywood freeway the WRONG way too..

OK OT here but how do US residents in big cities manage riding push bikes. Perhaps post to the other Forum.

Cheers

jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
I would say that in at least 90% of cases, old apps are fine if you can get them to work properly. Usually they have to be modified in some way but not always. I have never and probably never will run a Virtual machine and I use some old apps, especially games, all the time without issues.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 6600XT with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Realtek integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Nitro 24" RG241Y 144hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SN770 1 TB NVMe SSD
    Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD
    PSU
    LEPA B650 650 watt
    Case
    Enermax Coenus
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4 air
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator
    Mouse
    E-Blue Cobra Jr.
    Internet Speed
    100mbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Optical Drives: LG DVD-RW and Pioneer BluRay/ DVD burner
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS
    Motherboard
    Asus board (GA402RK)
    Memory
    16 GB Samsung DDR5-4800
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Radeon 680M and discrete Radeon RX 6800S with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop screen 14" WQXGA, IPS, 120hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (WD Black SN850)
    PSU
    Battery power and Asus power brick/adapter. Also has USB-C charging
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Laptop fans in vapor chamber
    Mouse
    Touchpad and Omoton bluetooth mouse
    Keyboard
    Built in RGB backlit
    Internet Speed
    100mbps
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Google seems to think so

How about MS? Are old Windows apps a security threat?
It says that if you are running an earlier version of Android, the apps will still be available. I see them presenting it as a compatibility issue as much as a security one.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 6600XT with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Realtek integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Nitro 24" RG241Y 144hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SN770 1 TB NVMe SSD
    Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD
    PSU
    LEPA B650 650 watt
    Case
    Enermax Coenus
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4 air
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator
    Mouse
    E-Blue Cobra Jr.
    Internet Speed
    100mbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Optical Drives: LG DVD-RW and Pioneer BluRay/ DVD burner
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS
    Motherboard
    Asus board (GA402RK)
    Memory
    16 GB Samsung DDR5-4800
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Radeon 680M and discrete Radeon RX 6800S with 8GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop screen 14" WQXGA, IPS, 120hz refresh rate
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (WD Black SN850)
    PSU
    Battery power and Asus power brick/adapter. Also has USB-C charging
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Laptop fans in vapor chamber
    Mouse
    Touchpad and Omoton bluetooth mouse
    Keyboard
    Built in RGB backlit
    Internet Speed
    100mbps
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
-reducing vulnerabilities is to keep everything up to date.
How about those golden oldies that no longer receive security updates? It's quite evident from forum postings that quite a few of us love (and still use) such golden oldies.

How do YOU live with your immuno-compromised lover(s) ?

What is your vaccine or VM or fate acceptance or ...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
My attitude is the same as that expressed in the post of mine you quoted from.

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom