Can I keep my XP computer on my local network?

摘要

Q I have three computers. My main desktop PC runs Windows 8.1, my laptop runs Vista, but my old desktop runs XP. The XP machine is only used to run some old programs that won't work with Windows 8.1.I no longer access the internet from the XP computer, but I do want to keep it connected to my home network. Is this safe? Can internet-borne malware make it onto my XP PC if I'm not using the web browser? My other PCs are protected with good security software but, as I won't be able to keep an antivirus program updated on the XP machine, I accept that I will have to be careful when plugging in USB sticks.