Almost 1 / 4 of customers are nonetheless operating a Windows working system (OS) with out mainstream assist, in response to a research by cybersecurity agency Kaspersky.
Kaspersky carried out a research primarily based on anonymized OS metadata supplied by consenting Kaspersky Security Network customers.
According to the survey, 22 per cent of PC customers are nonetheless utilizing the end-of-life OS Windows 7. Official assist for Microsoft Windows 7 resulted in January 2020.
When an OS involves the top of its lifecycle, the seller stops offering updates for the OS together with vital safety fixes.
“When operating systems reach end-of-life, vulnerabilities will remain without update patches to resolve issues, providing cyberattackers with potential ways to gain access to a system. Therefore, it is critical to update your OS to protect your system or business network from this avoidable issue,” Kaspersky stated.
Among these nonetheless utilizing Windows 7, shoppers, small and medium companies (SMBs), and really small companies (VSBs) occupy virtually the identical share – 22 per cent every, as per the report.
“It’s noteworthy, that almost a quarter of VSBs still use the outdated OS and, particularly considering that they do not have dedicated IT staff responsible solely for cybersecurity – it makes it more important to ensure their OS is up-to-date. For now, businesses can still receive extended paid support for Windows 7, but this means extra expense – and this offering will not be available forever,” itsaid.
Apart from this, Kaspersky’s findings additionally confirmed that lower than 1 per cent of individuals and companies nonetheless use older working techniques, corresponding to Windows XP and Vista, assist for which resulted in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Overall, 24 per cent of customers are nonetheless operating a Windows OS with out mainstream assist. This contains Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows XP, Windows Vista.While 72 per cent of customers are utilizing Windows 10, the newest model of Windows OS, which seems to be the most secure alternative as nicely.
“Updating your operating system might seem like a nuisance for many. But OS updates are not just there just to fix errors, or to enable the newest interface. The procedure introduces fixes for those bugs that can open a gaping door for cybercriminals to enter.
Even if you think you are vigilant and protected while online, updating your OS is an essential element of security that should not be overlooked, regardless of any third-party security solution’s presence,” stated Oleg Gorobets, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Kaspersky.
“If OS is obsolete, it can no longer receive these critical updates. If your house is old and crumbling, there is no point to install a new door. It makes more sense to find a new home, sooner rather than later. The same attitude is needed when it comes to ensuring the security of the operating system you trust with your valuable data every day,” added Gorobets.
