I've run various flavors of Windows for a long time (since XP SP2 or so), never with any anti-virus or anti-malware or software firewalls. They've always only just sat behind a Linksys router/firewall or similar hardware device.

Some of my windows systems (more recent, usually a server edition) are in a DMZ at the router level, so they are basically fully accessible to the internet. I patch a few times a year at most.

I've never had an issue with security exploits or anything like that hurting any of my Windows machines (now, currently all are Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7).

I have no doubt the vast majority of "infected" Windows machines are due to phishing or some other "fool the user into doing an unsafe action" scheme of spreading viruses or malware.

Hope all goes well with your surgery. When is it?

11 March.

I hope so. Going through twin cities spine. Did some research before picking these folks to evaluate me. My particular doctor has done many with good success. As long as the fuse takes, and I follow his orders, (I have a hard time following a doctors order) things should work out. 3 months in a brace will suck but will help insure the fuse takes.

Decided not to dedicate a whole PC to climate prediction. They are only using windows platform at this time, and wasn't going to loose 16 cores to WCG. Splitting the projects on this PC.

Mine started while i was in the army. Really got bad after i retired. Been dealing with this a long time. Been through just about everything imaginable to get relief. My last episode went into the nerves. Not fun at all. Last option is to fuse. Just hope this works.