Running Windows XP (even fully patched up with SP3 and latest fixes), you probably will have an increasing risk of Windows and IE being attacked. Windows XP has been getting security patches every month for over a decade. So it seems likely that people will continue to discover vulnerabilities in Windows XP that, over time, will be exploited (i.e., used in attacks).

Windows 8.1? For a good experience, you probably would be better off getting a new computer than installing 8.1 on a system that is several years old. I realize not everyone's budget permits.

What else can you do? It remains useful and important to keep your third party applications, such as Firefox, and your browser add-ons, such as Flash, up-to-date. It's also a good idea to run quality security software. And practice safe browsing habits like avoiding questionable websites and peer-to-peer networking, and being suspicious of email attachments.

Hello Gerald, jscher2000 above reply is one of the complete replies you can get.

Note also that firefox will continue to support win xp (with sp2 and above), definitely for about 2 version more (Australis 29 and 30) and maybe a little more.

thank you

There are no plans to discontinue Firefox for Windows XP any time in the near future.

You should update to Windows 8.1 if your computer can support it, or as Jscher suggested, buy a new computer. It doesn't matter how good your browser is, if your OS is insecure (and after April 8th it is guaranteed to be insecure), you will get hacked.

As an aside, "Jordan" from Microsoft called me today to make sure I was getting off Windows XP and Office 2003. He probably hoped to sell me (the company) something. (Not needed in our case.)

I find it striking that Microsoft is working so hard on this. I'm sure they could make more progress by making Windows 7 a free upgrade for a month, but I don't see it happening.