Windows 10 ALERT: Millions at risk by not following this very simple advice

[The AchieVer]

Windows 10 ALERT: Millions at risk by not following this very simple advice

                

MICROSOFT Windows 10 and Windows 7 users are being warned that not updating their PCs to the latest software could put them at risk from vulnerabilities and other significant security issues.

 

Windows users who are using older versions of the software could be putting themselves at risk.

That's the news from the latest report from security firm Avast, who say that more than half of PC applications installed worldwide are out-of-date.

In fact, Avast’s PC Trends Report 2019 found that users are making themselves vulnerable to hackers by not implementing security patches and keeping outdated versions of popular applications on their PCs.

Along with applications being not being kept updated, the report also found that many Microsoft users aren't keeping on top of upgrades to their Windows operating systems.

 

According to Avast, almost one in six of all Windows 7 users and one in ten of all Windows 10 users worldwide are running older and no longer supported versions of their product.

 

Speaking about the report,  Ondrej Vlcek, President, Avast said: “Most of us replace our smartphone regularly, but the same cannot be said for our PCs.

 

"With the average age of a PC now reaching six years old, we need to be doing more to ensure our devices are not putting us at unnecessary risk.

 

“With the right amount of care, such as cleaning our hardware’s insides using cleaners, optimisation and security products, PCs will be safe and reliable for even longer.

 

The applications where updates are most frequently neglected include Adobe Shockwave (96%), VLC Media Player (94%) and Skype (94%).

 

The report, which uses anonymised and aggregated data from 163 million devices across the globe, also found that Windows 10 is now installed on 40 per cent of all PCs globally, which is fast approaching the 43 per cent share held by Windows 7.

 

This news comes as Microsoft has just announced an update on its Windows Phone products.

 

The US company has just confirmed that it won't be supporting the platform from the end of the year meaning those owning a Windows-powered phone will no longer receive security updates or new features.

 

In post on its blog, Microsoft confirmed: "As of December 10, 2019, Windows 10 Mobile users are no longer eligible to receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free.

"Third parties or paid support programs may provide ongoing support, but it is important to recognise that Microsoft support will not publicly provide updates or patches for Windows 10 Mobile."

With Microsoft now ditching all updates for good there's good news for Android and Apple as the Redmond firm is recommending users switch to these platforms.

"With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, we recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device," Microsoft said.

 

 

Source

 

[funkyy]

Scaremongering by Microsoft...update or else tactics. Jeezo, how many members on Nsane alone have had their computers disrupted by Microsoft patch Tuesdays compared to those (if any) who have been victims of hackers? Microsoft = anagram of "I'm so forct". 😀😀😀

[SPECTRUM]

1 hour ago, funkyy said:

Scaremongering by Microsoft...update or else tactics. Jeezo, how many members on Nsane alone have had their computers disrupted by Microsoft patch Tuesdays compared to those (if any) who have been victims of hackers? Microsoft = anagram of "I'm so forct". 😀😀😀

 

seems you forgot that many companies were affected by hackers in your country few time ago, where Movistar, Entel, Banco de Chile, Banco del Estado de Chile and few others were severely affected by hackers and malwares exploting vulnerabilities in their apps and operating systems (vulnerabilities that were already patched long time ago through updates) and just because their system admins failed to maintain updated their software in general.

[BimBamSmash]

What MS is claiming is not entirely irrelevant for the average user. But it is so easy to doubt them, given the company track records, potential future business plans, data collecting and all that.

 

I consider myself fortunate for not having faced any of the serious problems reported for Windows 10 so far. But even that background doesn't stop me from thinking MS needs to focus more on QA and stable code than tactics like the one described above. If average users don't read crazy news like how updates wiped personal data here, reset default apps there, broke network connection elsewhere, etc, etc, I doubt they are going to mind updates that much.

[funkyy]

23 hours ago, SPECTRUM said:

 

seems you forgot that many companies were affected by hackers in your country few time ago, where Movistar, Entel, Banco de Chile, Banco del Estado de Chile and few others were severely affected by hackers and malwares exploiting vulnerabilities in their apps and operating systems (vulnerabilities that were already patched long time ago through updates) and just because their system admins failed to maintain updated their software in general.

I wasn't saying that hackers don't exist and I know they have hacked large institutions all over the world. My point was that Microsoft themselves have caused disruption to users with their updates, users who in many, many cases had no problems caused by hackers. Let's be realistic here, there are "hackers" and there are HACKERS, guys who are almost at genius level and are capable of hacking even the most protected/updated computers,

I just think it's ridiculous that folk have to get nervous every time Microsoft updates come around. It's a personal choice thing, each to his own,😀😀😀

[Karlston]

What a choice, don't update and risk malware wrecking your device, or do update and risk Microsoft wrecking it.

 

Personally, I'll take my chances with malware.

[steven36]

34 minutes ago, Karlston said:

What a choice, don't update and risk malware wrecking your device, or do update and risk Microsoft wrecking it.

 

Personally, I'll take my chances with malware.

Only thing I see  is them talking about 3rd party software  ,VLC  3 is bug prone would explain  why they don't update it but why they don't switch to something better is beside me ? If Avast is still updating  the signatures to there old version that don't matter much ether ..I've used old versions of AV before  in the past  , Shockwave  player who uses that in 2019? and  Windows 10  mobile  whats that a whole 20  people ,no one uses Windows phones? 🤣  They millions of people using old Android devices witch is more of and issue , also  the source is express UK witch is a fake news rag , freaking  click bait my friend and why do you have to go through google to get to the source?