Many of us are still hooked on Windows 7 and that's a huge problem

[Karlston]

Many of us are still hooked on Windows 7 and that's a huge problem

Devices still running on Windows 7 targeted by hackers

(Image credit: Future)

 

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has published a warning notice highlighting dangers posed by the continued usage of Windows 7, retired by Microsoft earlier this year.

 

The much-loved operating system reached end of life on January 14, meaning security patches, software updates and technical assistance are no longer available - but many users have remained loyal to the outdated OS regardless.

 

However, according to the FBI notice, Windows 7 is attracting the attention of malicious cyber actors, who are seeking to take advantage of undiscovered security flaws in the no-longer-supported operating system.

 

Windows 7 customers that purchased an Extended Security Update (ESU) plan are the only exception; security support for these users will extend until January 2023.

Windows 7 end of life

According to the FBI, there is strong precedent for cyberattacks on unsupported Windows operating systems and remote desktop protocols.

 

 

With the vast majority of Windows 7 customers unable to patch their systems, the intelligence agency believes criminals will continue to look upon the operating system as a “soft target”.

 

 

“The FBI has observed cybercriminals targeting computer network infrastructure after an operating system achieves end of life status,” reads the FBI notice.

 

 

 

“Continuing to use Windows 7 within an enterprise may provide cybercriminals access into computer systems. As time passes, Windows 7 becomes more vulnerable to exploitation due to lack of security updates and new vulnerabilities discovered.”

 

 

To mitigate against the threat of attack, the FBI advises users adopt a “multilayered approach” to protection. This involves updating operating systems to the latest supported version (i.e. Windows 10), checking antivirus and spam filters are properly configured and isolating computer systems that cannot be updated.

 

 

“Migrating to a new operating system can pose its own unique challenges, such as cost for new hardware and software and updating existing custom software. However, these challenges do not outweigh the loss of intellectual property and threats to an organization,” added the FBI.

 

 

Many of us are still hooked on Windows 7 and that's a huge problem

 

[banned]

Not a huge problem. Windows XP was a bigger problem, and I can still use that safely.

[straycat19]

For the vast majority of Windows 7 users this would be true but for a lot of us with advanced knowledge of how to secure our systems Windows 7 will remain the OS of choice.  I still have Windows 98 systems and I guarantee they cannot be hacked and they have been online for 22 years.  The bottom line is Microsoft cannot produce a secure OS and have been trying for over 35 years.  Most of my systems are Windows 7 with SP1 and NO updates.  They run fine, do what they are supposed to do and can't be hacked, though many have tried.  I don't run any anti-virus/malware software either and they can't be infected.  If you know how to harden your systems nothing will be able to touch them.

[cosy]

You won't believe this but my Windows 95 PC is still running properly 😁

There are many out there who are still worried about Windows 10, and they will still wait until they stop reading all the disturbing  articles on Windows 10.

That is us humans, unfortunately, windows will never change its policies of patching bugs with new ones all the time.

[Nuclear Fallout]

20 minutes ago, cosy said:

You won't believe this but my Windows 95 PC is still running properly 😁

There are many out there who are still worried about Windows 10, and they will still wait until they stop reading all the disturbing  articles on Windows 10.

That is us humans, unfortunately, windows will never change its policies of patching bugs with new ones all the time.

Humans as a group are, well, quite stupid!

 

The individual is the one I still have faith in!!!!!!

 

I have a similar feeling towards religion. For that I even have proof!!!

[K3Y]

I work for a business that is using the Extended Security Update (ESU) for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 to support legacy applications.  I'm sure there are a lot of us out there.

[Mutton]

On 8/5/2020 at 11:19 PM, Karlston said:

Many of us are still hooked on Windows 7 and that's a huge problem

 

Yeah, to Microsoft's shareholders.

 

Despite MS's variously enforced, artificially essential, sneaky, free and/or scaremongering 'upgrades' programme, they still can't persuade many of us that we would be better off giving control of our PCs, data, shopping and advertising needs completely over to them.

[mp68terr]

Linux and libreoffice here. Neither m$oft nor m$oft. W7 sometimes run in a vm without access to the net.

Instead of notices, warnings, etc. is the fbi 'teaching' how to secure systems running under w7?

[cyberloner]

On 8/6/2020 at 8:23 AM, banned said:

Not a huge problem. Windows XP was a bigger problem, and I can still use that safely.

xp still good but no many browser support it now... many website cannot be open at all ......

[aum]

Yep,  the [v]2020 doesn't seem to be batter at all compared to [v]201X ... but time moves on ... caring neither for ye, me, (s)he, or technology.   

[sam3971]

On 8/5/2020 at 6:31 PM, straycat19 said:

For the vast majority of Windows 7 users this would be true but for a lot of us with advanced knowledge of how to secure our systems Windows 7 will remain the OS of choice.  I still have Windows 98 systems and I guarantee they cannot be hacked and they have been online for 22 years.  The bottom line is Microsoft cannot produce a secure OS and have been trying for over 35 years.  Most of my systems are Windows 7 with SP1 and NO updates.  They run fine, do what they are supposed to do and can't be hacked, though many have tried.  I don't run any anti-virus/malware software either and they can't be infected.  If you know how to harden your systems nothing will be able to touch them.

 

Hey bud,

 

Any tips or suggestions? I have seen many different methods that can do this but some cause issues while others do not.

 

Thank you.