>>mouse_+(OP)
Behind a NAT you're safe even with Win9x. Idk about XP-latest, but you don't want to connect a fresh pre-SP installation right to the uplink cable. I wouldn't do that with any version of windows, even from the "windows server" line.
>>wruza+td4
Do the zombie botnets still search for jurassic OSes to exploit? I feel like connecting the XP system to the Internet might be fine because all the botnets are searching for unpatched Windows 10 systems, maybe 8, 7, but not XP...
>>netsha+2G5
What is the cost for someone running a botnet to probe for old OSs also? They can just take something off the shelf and run it on someone elses machine.
>>Zambyt+uU5
If any random probe targeting Win10 has a 1% success rate, and similar probe targeting XP has a 0.01% success rate, what probes would you let your botnet send out?
Probing for obscure OS that isn't there on the other end = opportunity cost.
>>RetroT+YO6
> what probes would you let your botnet send out?
Both probably. I don't see where the "opportunity cost" is when you can trivially do both. Please describe the opportunity cost in detail; that is what I am asking about.