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 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 outdated software.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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