Recently, the ransomware attack dubbed “WannaCry” made global news as it spread across more than 150 countries, infecting hundreds of thousands of devices. A few things made this ransomware attack interesting, such as the operating system the majority of the victims were running. Kaspersky Labs released data that showed more than 98 percent of users impacted by WannaCry were running on a Windows 7 operating system. Microsoft had already been urging users to upgrade to Windows 10, and with the increase of cyberattacks in recent years, it’s more important now than ever before that users heed their advice and upgrade.
Windows 7 can no longer keep up with current security requirements and this leaves many businesses still using the outdated security platform vulnerable. Microsoft ended basic support for Windows 7 in 2015, but since then users have still been receiving security updates. However, these updates do not include any new functions or features. In fact Markus Nitschke, Head of Windows at Microsoft Germany, stated that Windows 7 “does not meet the requirements of modern technology, nor the high security requirements of IT departments.”
The threat created from the WannaCry ransomware attack was so widespread that in an unprecedented turn of events, Microsoft actually issued an emergency patch to Windows XP users even though support for that platform had been officially ended in 2014.
Microsoft has made substantial investments in Windows 10, making it the most malware resistant Windows operating system thus far. With the security of your business in mind, it’s a waste to continue updating your Windows 7 OS when migrating to Windows 10 is the more secure option. Some of Windows 10’s modern security features pushed out by Microsoft include Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection and Windows Hello biometric login; which permits users to log on to their devices through fingerprint, facial, or iris recognition.
The cyber threat landscape is evolving every day and when it comes to your business it doesn’t pay to take chances. Upgrading to Windows 10 is one step you can take today towards a stronger security framework.