Windows 7 users are at risk after Microsoft ends support today

Cyber security experts are warning Bournemouth businesses and customers to upgrade to windows 10 immediately in order to avoid major security risks.

Now that Microsoft’s 10 year support period for Windows 7 has ended, one in four users who still run the outdated operating system are at risk, according to statistics website StatCounter.

Due to the large amount of unprotected people, cyber security experts are worried.

Jack Moore, cyber security expert , explained: “If you continue to use windows 7 as your operating system, your computer will still work but you are at risk to any new vulnerabilities that cyber criminals are working on to actively exploit. Microsoft will not come and help you or issue a new patch”

“it’s like staying in a building where the quality of the building is deteriorating”.

According to Dr Edward Apeh, senior lecturer in cyber security at Bournemouth University, this now means that “you have an open season on software that hackers can now exploit.

“People are at risk of identity theft and at risk of their data being exploited by criminals and they are also at risk of not being able to use peripherals that their software connects to, like their printers and mobile devices.”

This is more important than ever after data breaches exposed 4.1 billion records in the first half of 2019.

Dr Apeh added that  “If you value your data and you value details about your bank account then its crucial you change to windows 10.

“It’s like staying in a building where the quality of the building is deteriorating”.

Microsoft has urged people on their support page to change from Windows 7 to Windows 10 as soon as possible, which they are selling on their website for £120.