Is Your Business Using Windows 7? If so, Time is Almost Up!
Get IT Support Services from DB Computer Solutions Before Criminals Attack
If your business is still operating Windows 7 on your IT infrastructure, please remember that Microsoft has announced end of support for this system as of 14 January, 2020.
In their article, Cyber Criminals Lining Up as Windows 7 Support to End, the Irish Independent points out the downside of those who do not prepare: ‘One in four Irish companies are scheduled to have IT security support withdrawn by Microsoft….The technology giant will stop protecting Windows 7 from viruses and malware…”
Which means unless you prepare now, your business could suffer catastrophic attack from online criminals.
What It Means and What You Should Do About it
Hundreds of millions of devices across the world rely on Windows 7 operating systems. In Ireland, we’re probably talking many hundreds of thousands at the very least. Often, machines relying on Windows 7 reside at the very heart of organisational workloads and critical functions. Accounting, communications, word processing, ERP, finance, EPoS, payroll, management information, Internet support – and all accompanying data – are managed and accessed by Windows 7.
And that’s important because Windows 7 will be targeted by ever-increasing security threats: Malware, Ransomware, Trojans, DDoS attacks, Phishing…. Any of these threats could expose your business to critical risk: shutting down your I.T. systems, destroying applications, data and essential files; jeopardising customer relationships and critical operating workflows, to name a few.
And to make it worse: the criminals behind such threats are not stupid. They are opportunists. In all likelihood, they are already developing dark threats which will attack unprotected IT systems on 15 January, 2020 – the day after MS Windows 7 support has been withdrawn.
What to Do About It
If your business hasn’t already done so, draw up a battle plan and action it immediately:
- Identify all infrastructure using MS Windows 7 as its OS
- Upgrade to Microsoft Windows 10 or another OS with ongoing support
- Continually patch existing MS Windows 7 OS machines until Jan 14 2020
- If particular machines using Windows 7 cannot be replaced with new OS systems, isolate them from the rest of your Infrastructure to contain likely attacks
- Develop comprehensive infrastructure security strategies including ongoing data backup, replication, and Disaster Recovery planning
When to Do It NOW
Please take action before it’s too late.
Need Help?
IT Support Services from DB Computer Solutions can help you plan ahead, transition and manage change, and protect your business against critical threats. Contact us for more information:
Email: info@dbcomp.ie Tel: 061 480980