Windows 7 End of Life (EOL) will be here January 14, 2020, and the countdown for business owners who are still using the product has begun. What does Windows 7 End of Life mean to you and your business? Microsoft operating systems have a 10-year life-cycle, with extended support being the last step. Once extended support ends: Microsoft will end paid support and all bug fixes cease, no matter the severity
Older operating systems open to attack
Small and midsize businesses may struggle with the challenges of an operating system reaching EOL. Change is hard and can be time-consuming. Expenses associated with required updates, upgrades, or replace computers, often results in businesses opting to keep legacy systems. However, This leaves them open to attack from hackers, increasing the risk of identity theft, data loss, and downtime.
Hackers preparing to exploit Windows 7 End of Life vulnerabilities
In 2014, when Microsoft ended support for Windows XP, many businesses and organizations that stayed with Windows XP saw an increasing number of serious cyberattacks, like Wanna Cry ransomware. You may rest assured that hackers around the world are already preparing for how to exploit vulnerabilities that will go un-fixed once Windows 7 reaches EOL.
EOL operating systems put you and those you work with at RISK
Not only does remaining on an EOL operating system put your business at risk, but it also puts those businesses you work with at risk. Frequently malware and email phishing attacks spread from one infected system to other computers with whose users they interact. We strongly recommend you seek the advice of an IT professional to determine your options.
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Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay