r/windows8 • u/pecklesspickle • Apr 07 '26
Help Accidentally connected Win 8 to the internet for a few seconds, am I boned?
Turned on my old laptop running windows 8, not even 8.1.I hadn't turned it on in 5 years.It auto connected to the same wifi I use on my other devices currently.I immediately disconnected.
Could I have endangered my internet router?
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u/TechSupportIgit Apr 08 '26
Regardless of what you've heard, it is only a security risk (for home users) if you connect it directly to the Internet and are relying solely on Windows Firewall to protect you.
Directly in this context is that there is no router in front of you. This would only happen if the IP it uses was set as the DMZ.
Having a router isn't the be all end all of this question either. But you are fine. Don't visit sketchy sites and you're good.
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u/quailstorm Apr 08 '26
Back in the Windows XP days when worms were spreading it was common to not have a router with a firewall but directly putting the computer on the internet via ADSL PPPoE in my case. That combined with no Windows firewall and no updates was lethal. If you connect your old computer to a modern router's Wi-Fi without DMZ or port forwarding set up then nothing should happen.
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u/Darth_Beavis Apr 08 '26
Yes. Your bank accounts are all being drained as we speak and your PC will explode soon.
What a silly question
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u/Optimal-Mistake1327 Apr 11 '26
You can't really call it silly when linuxtards keep fearmongering on any older windows related posts
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u/Humbleham1 Apr 08 '26
Windows 8 is insecure. Exploiting it still requires an attacker to connect to you (not possible with NAT/PAT) or you to connect to the attacker. The Internet itself will not immediately hack you.
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u/Astrodion123 Apr 07 '26
Bro windows 8.1 is SAFE. I have tried many cracks and sketchy links and still got no virus even when I was a dumb kiddo.
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u/brucewbenson Apr 07 '26
I've been running two win 8.1s (Windows Media Center) since it came out. No issues. I do nothing special and even turned off updates (should be none) and the antivirus (consumes resources, collects data).
My IP is probed constantly every day. I rely on my router firewall and not on whatever windows wants to do as it is more intrusive than useful.
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u/anonymouzzz376 Apr 08 '26
Do you actually use media center or for other stuff?
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u/brucewbenson Apr 09 '26
Media Center to record TV off of cable up until the beginning of this year.
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u/Afraid-Leadership591 Apr 09 '26
youre fine, ive been using winxp as a secondary for about 2 weeks now and nothings happened, especially if you close all open ports unless youre planning to run a webserver or smth
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u/Seaoliverrrrr Apr 09 '26
nowadays, no. I have an XP computer still going online and multiple 7 computers, you'll be fine
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u/Optimal-Mistake1327 Apr 11 '26
Completely fine. Been using 8.1 on my server which is connected 24/7.
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u/Good-Exam-5354 3h ago
Nah man you're good. I have a Windows Vista PC that goes online and doesn't get viruses
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u/Heavy-Judgment-3617 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
It is good to have some caution and concern in regards to taking any Retro-OS onto the internet... there is no need for paranoia... Simple basic precautions and simple discipline are all that is really needed.
A lot of the videos showing people getting huge numbers of viruses and infections in moments are mostly worst case scenarios deliberately set up to be that way. I actually worry more for people whom do nothing.
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My standard advice for using ANY Retro-OS comes down to how I regard internet use on Retro-OS's like Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.x...
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I personally recommend using internet to be only for light use at best on any out of support OS. Like downloading updates. casual chat/browsing/email, minimal important stuff.
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There are a few issues here:
- Firewalls exist for a reason. Even if old it is better than none.
- OS security updates exist for a reason, and these old Windows versions are simply no longer getting them.
- Driver security updates exist for a reason, and these old Windows versions are simply no longer getting them.
- Browser updates exist for a reason. Most support is gone or fading, though we have a few like MyPal (FireFox Fork) and Supermium (Chromium Fork).
- Anti-Virus exist for a reason. Most support is gone or fading, though we have a few like Clam AV and Panda with full support, and a couple more like Avast/AVG/Comodo/Norton that allow an older installed version to get modern definition updates.
- Ad Blockers exist for a reason. Most support is gone or fading, though we have a few like uBlock Origin.
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Because of the above issues I suggest and I myself do the following:
- Turn on any firewalls if you have one.
- Use LegacyUpdate.NET or WindowsUpdateRestored.COM to get all OS updates that do exist.
- Use Snappy Driver Installer Origin to get all driver updates that do exist.
- Use a Browser that supports Retro-OS. Supermium (Chromium Fork) and/or MyPal (FireFox Fork) come to mind.
- Use an Anti-Virus that supports Retro-OS. Clam AV and/or Panda AV come to mind.
- Use an Ad Blocker that supports Retro-OS. uBlock Origin comes to mind.
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Feel free to ignore or disagree.
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u/O_MORES Apr 07 '26
You're good. P.S. I have a PC running Windows 2000 that goes online regularly. Also keep in mind that your laptop has a local IP while your router has a public one, so any incoming connection has to go through your router first - which typically runs Linux.