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Still running
Windows 7?
Rob Gibbons has run an IT The National Cyber Security Centre has advised
support business for over
14 years and has a wealth that anyone who wishes to send private or
of knowledge on how to get sensitive information (such as bank details) on a
the best out of infrastruc- Windows 7 device, not to send it as the risk is
ture for businesses whilst too great.
ensuring the network is
optimised for productivity.
Additionally, Barclays has said that, after 25 May
2020, it will prevent Windows 7 users from
Do you know which version of Windows you accessing their online account. I’m sure more
have? banks will follow this approach.
Microsoft generally supports each version of its Anyone still using the software is urged to replace
operating system for about ten years, and unsupported devices as soon as possible, to move
‘extended support’ for Windows 7 ended on 14 sensitive data to a supported device and not to use
January 2020. them for tasks like accessing bank and other
sensitive accounts.
This means Microsoft are no longer offering
technical support for Windows 7, so if something If you want to check which version of Windows
goes wrong, it cannot be fixed. The new Windows you’re running:
10 platform is far more secure and has many
improvements over Windows 7. 1. Click the Start button.
2. Type “winver” in the search box and press
End-of-life software also no longer receives Enter.
updates and patches, meaning it is not secure: 3. You should see the About Windows box popup
recent figures show 25% of devices run on with your Windows version information.
outdated software. This means millions of people
who have not upgraded their software are To greatly reduce the risk of being victim of
incredibly vulnerable to a cyber-attack. cyber-crime, ensure you are running the latest
operating system and update your Windows
Cyber criminals will target that 25%, knowing that software.
their devices are easy to exploit, because they will
have missing security patches – leaving these At the time of this article, the latest version of
platforms open for criminal business. Windows 10 is version 1909.
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