Microsoft is STILL making security upgrades to XP, so I can’t see how going to the original install would help. You might try Linux.
Fat chance of that.
If they want it they will get it. There is no such thing as a secure data transfer if the perpetrators have the desire and resources to hack.
If you “fall-back” to MS XP the SOME of your applications/prgrams MAY not work. Quite a bit of today’s software is written for MS Vista/7/8.
Because you asked this question on a public forum, you will now be assigned an extra level of scrutiny. Not only will all you email be specifically read by a Federal Agent, but your snail mail as well.
The only way to have security is to remove your system from the internet.
I am a 20+ computer professional.
Use Linux. Encrypt your email with a STRONG 256 bit password. (AES type).
Also, don’t expect not to be on a list because you are sending email encrypted. You will be watched/in a database.
I have been telling people for 10+ years that internet/email privacy is an illusion, it does not exist.
Stovepipe.
How is your connect actually done?
There are ways that are safe. But most are not.
But then, there are ways that nothing - and I mean nothing - will get through :).
I don’t think you get al this. The NSA has taps on ALL communications. Securing your computer means nothing.
Any version of windows has an NSA back door. Use Linux.
Don’t bother. It will just be a fantasy. Say everything as if the world can hear you.
I’ve seen more people get in trouble for trying to hide stuff. You encrypt it and then lose the password.
what do you have to hide, citizen?
There is no privacy. Your only hope is to be a ‘gray man’. That is, to not engage in activity that makes you stand out from the crowd. That you are posting here means that it is already too late for you to take that approach.
>> I am wondering if I restore XP to it’s original with no updates of any kind, am I safer than with the updates?
Yeah, sure, go for it, ‘cause one of two things will happen.
1) You’ll never get on the internet, in which case the NSA has no power over you; or
2) Within about ten minutes of being on the internet, you’ll download an extortionware exploit that will encrypt all your files and lock your computer. Again, you can’t do anything on the internet so there’s nothing for NSA to spy on.
Enjoy!
Not a joke. The intelligence agencies read these threads all day. You are telling them your operating system and how you want to encrypt your messages?
Why bother?
Others,clearly,disagree.Not about my life,mind you,but about the subject of spying.
Agree with the linux from USB or CD option previously mentioned. An unpatched version of XP has very significant security issues anyone, including the NSA, can leverage.
BTW, there is no “safely” if its on a computer connected to the internet.
Unless you absolutely need the MS Office suite, you should consider a Linux distro like unbuntu 12.10. As other Freepers have suggested, it installs from a USB drive with at least 2GB of storage - more is better. I am using this distro to write this and your PC will have much higher performance.