Support for Windows 10 ended on January 2023, 8.1, as did extended paid support for Windows 7. From this point on, no more security updates will be released. Microsoft also does not offer an Esu (Extended Security Update) program for Windows 8.1. The result: almost 3 million insecure Windows computers.
In German private households, around one million computers are still running Windows 8.1 and almost twice as many are running Windows 7 (1,7 million). All in all, almost three million computers with an insecure operating system are still regularly online. It is high time for users to plan the switch.
“Almost three million insecure Windows computers are on the Internet in Germany alone. These are ticking time bombs because: For cybercriminals, these computers are easy targets to attack. A known and unclosed vulnerability is enough - and in the worst case, the computers are open like a barn door. Nevertheless, many users continue to underestimate the security risk of an outdated version of Windows. Especially operating system dinosaurs like Windows 7, whose official end of support was several years ago, should finally be retired. The same applies to Windows 10 from January 2023, 8.1. Because support ends here too and there will be no more free security updates for private users. I strongly advise switching to the latest Windows versions,” says Thorsten Urbanski, IT security expert at ESET.
Achilles heel old Windows system
In 2021 alone, 1.212 vulnerabilities were discovered in Microsoft programs. With an outdated operating system, however, these are no longer documented by official bodies. Information about such vulnerabilities spreads rapidly on underground forums and is used for a variety of attack scenarios. In the event of damage, it is questionable whether insurance companies will step in at all when using outdated software and not completely refuse the service, since this no longer corresponds to the required state of the art. A switch to a current operating system is not only desirable, but inevitable. In case of doubt, anything else would even be grossly negligent.
Windows dominates the operating system market
Four out of five computers with an Internet connection in Germany have Windows installed as the operating system. This proportion has been fairly constant for several years. Far behind in second place is macOS with around 17 percent. Alternatives such as Linux or Chrome OS are installed on just over two percent of computers.
More at Eset.de
About ESET ESET is a European company with headquarters in Bratislava (Slovakia). ESET has been developing award-winning security software since 1987 that has already helped over 100 million users enjoy secure technology. The broad portfolio of security products covers all common platforms and offers companies and consumers worldwide the perfect balance between performance and proactive protection. The company has a global sales network in over 180 countries and branches in Jena, San Diego, Singapore and Buenos Aires. For more information, visit www.eset.de or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.