Win XP comp on network = linux comp more vulnerable??

[poikiloid]

Windows XP support and security upgrades have ended.

If I keep an XP computer on the home network, does that make my linux computer more susceptible to any kind of hacking, infiltration, trojans, etc.??

[tgalati4]

As long as the XP machine is turned off and not used, you should be fine. If it is left running, then a virus could sniff packets running on your local network putting all users on that network at risk, regardless of what OS is running. If you have a key-logging virus on the XP machine, then only the user on that machine would be at risk. If you share folders from the XP machine across the network, then other machines could be at risk sharing files that have malicious content.

Keeping an XP machine is like securing your home with a broken lock that only requires a screwdriver to open.

[HermanAB]

Hmm, an XP machine is fine if the network cable is unplugged...

[CharlesA]

Hmm, an XP machine is fine if the network cable is unplugged...

This.

There is no way I'd let an unpatched/unsupported machine on my network.

[WoodenWalker]

Pshhhhh..... I'd wipe that bad boy and replace it with Ubuntu. No point in keeping an xp box around now. Just a problem waiting to happen.