support end
The number of insecure Windows computers is increasing rapidly
Windows 8.1 is becoming insecure: Microsoft support is ending. photo
© Florian Schuh/dpa-tmn
Many find it difficult to say goodbye to outdated operating systems. Support for Windows 8.1 will also expire in a week. This means that the number of insecure PCs in Germany is increasing significantly.
In the foreseeable future, almost three million insecure Windows PCs will be on the road in Germany. Thorsten Urbanski from the security company ESET pointed this out on Thursday. The Microsoft Windows 7 operating system, which has been outdated for years, runs on 1.7 million computers. Around one million computers have the Windows 8.1 system installed, for which technical support from Microsoft will expire next week (January 10). This no longer closes security gaps in Windows 8.1.
“The insecure Windows computers are ticking time bombs,” Urbanski told the German Press Agency. For cybercriminals, these computers are easy targets to attack. “A known and unclosed vulnerability is enough – and in the worst case, the computers are open like a barn door.” Nevertheless, many users continue to underestimate the security risk of an outdated version of Windows.
Urbanski showed little understanding for the use of outdated systems by private users or users in companies, authorities or organizations. “Especially operating system dinosaurs like Windows 7, whose end of support was several years ago, should finally be retired,” demanded the expert. The same applies to Windows 8.1 from January 10, 2023. Because support is ending here too and there will no longer be any free security updates for private users. “I strongly advise you to switch to the latest Windows versions,” said Urbanski.