So, hands up if you use Windows 7 on your computer, XBox or phone. Yes, thought so. Recent calculations (December 2019, ZDNet) suggest that although the number of machines with Windows installed is dropping from the 1.5 billion Microsoft used to talk about, there are still about 1.2 billion devices running the operating system. Data collected on the version of Windows being run show that about 20% are still using Windows 7. So if you do the maths, that is roughly 240 million.
Now I don’t want to scare you – oh ok, I do want to scare you!
Windows 7 will not be supported by Microsoft after next week, 14 January, 2020.
What does that mean?
It means you will no longer get security updates and your machine will be vulnerable. There are lots of really nasty people out there trying to get into your data, and they will soon find all the remaining vulnerabilities in Windows 7 that Microsoft will now just ignore. So, although Windows 7 will carry on working, just as XP does since the support stopped, you really shouldn’t risk it. As soon as you can, upgrade. We can help you with that.
The other thing of course, is that the Data Protection Act, or GDPR, requires businesses to use appropriate software to process personal data, and that applies to all businesses, even one-person businesses. Using non-supported software could land you in big trouble with the Information Commissioner’s Office, but more likely it could lead to a data breach.
So, we advise you to ask your suppliers and customers which version of Windows they are running before you deal with them. Your supply chain must all be compliant with GDPR.
Well, we did warn you last February.
Diana
Diana is a founder and Managing Director of Octagon Technology.
Twenty odd years ago Diana was teaching IT at a college in Essex when local companies started to come in and ask her for help with their computers. This led to the creation of Octagon Technology alongside fellow lecturer Clive, with a vision of providing Technology Without Tears for our clients.
Nowadays, Diana concentrates on the less glamourous side of the business, dealing with the statutory reporting, the strategic planning, the budgeting, forecasting and cash flow analysis. She also looks after the payroll, together with the human resources policies and procedures.
If you would like to talk to Diana about any of the issues raised in this article, please let us know (01522 797520) and we will ask her to contact you to answer your questions.
