The good news: private users invest in their software and hardware and protect themselves against cyber attacks. Nevertheless, over 3 million insecure Windows computers work in German households.
In German households there are around 48 million computers running the Windows operating system. The corona pandemic has led to private users replacing their old devices and even buying more devices. The vast majority of computers have a recent version of Windows installed. Nevertheless, over three million devices are still being operated with an outdated variant. After all, that's around two million fewer insecure PCs than last year. The last end of support was for Windows 7 about two years ago. Nevertheless, the operating system is still installed on around 2,7 million computers. In a year, on January 10, 2023, extended support for Windows 8.1 will also end. Security gaps for these outdated versions are then no longer closed and exploited by cybercriminals. If 8.1 is still in use, private users and companies should already be planning the switch.
Many old Windows vulnerabilities
“Vulnerabilities like Log4Shell are just the tip of the iceberg. However, they clearly show that private individuals and companies face similar problems and challenges. Software that is no longer maintained by the developer must be renewed immediately. The use of such software is grossly negligent. Damage can be expensive for private users and especially for companies. A vulnerability, for example in an operating system that is no longer supported, is enough for attackers to have a foot in the door and permanent access to the victim's computer," explains Thorsten Urbanski, security expert at ESET. “But the current figures also show a positive development. Security awareness is increasing: many private users have used the past year to update their computers. In a year-on-year comparison, around two million fewer insecure Windows computers are online in Germany. Looking to the future is also positive. The use of Windows 8.1 is declining and horror scenarios like the end of support for XP or 7 will not occur in 2023.”
More than three million outdated Windows PCs are still online
While last year there were still over five million devices with an outdated operating system, the number has now fallen by 40 percent. Windows 7 dominates with over 2,7 million installations, followed by Windows 8 with almost 200.000. XP is installed on just over 150.000 devices. The numbers show that security awareness among Internet users is increasing, but that offers to switch to a current version are also being accepted. However, users should prepare for the fact that extended support for Windows 10 will end on January 2023, 8.1.
Four out of five devices have Windows installed
Around 80 percent of all desktop PCs and laptops have Microsoft Windows installed as the operating system. It is followed by macOS with over 17 percent, which already accounts for more than 10 million devices in Germany. Only two percent of the devices use a variant of Linux.
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