I use Windows XP. How vulnerable am I?

[Elevon]

If your behind a firewall of some kind (even just basic NAT) that stops listening connections being routed to the internet then your relatively safe - but an original install with no firewall and no updates, etc. is extremely vulnerable.

The very early days I was still on 56K dial up with XP ,nowadays much more computer savvy with superior operating systems and hardware firewall etc...

 

[bledd]

Will I see a difference with which ever one I go for?

All I want is to go on the internet, check e-mails and do a bit of internet banking.

I'm not compiling Java script, running CFD simulations or anything like that.

Purely for cosmetic reasons

 

[KIA]

Seen a clean install of XP with no service packs, etc. compromised within 5 minutes of being exposed to the internet before (i.e. fully open to both inbound and outgoing connections) :S just from being picked up by automated port scanning.

Happened to me in the days of USB ADSL modems. I forgot to install my personal firewall before going online. Big mistake.

 

[bledd]

Heh, first and only virus I've ever had. Blaster virus on an isdn line.

Bought a router, problem solved

 

[Columbo]

Will I see a difference with which ever one I go for?

All I want is to go on the internet, check e-mails and do a bit of internet banking.

I'm not compiling Java script, running CFD simulations or anything like that.

You'll certainly be more secure and it will feel modern and fresh. Mint Xfce is a lot like Windows but with a repository (much like Apple's app store) with a shed load of apps in there.

I use it with Firefox, Thunderbird email client and Open Office on my old laptop and it runs far lighter and faster than Windows ever did. Honestly try it, you can boot it from a USB stick which wont touch your Windows installation and you can test until your heart is content.