As you’ll know by now, Windows 7 reached it’s end of life almost two years ago now. Anyone running Windows 7 as their operating system since then has been running the risk that their software could have been breached without necessarily knowing about it.
Microsoft has not been patching any discovered security flaws or loopholes in Windows 7 since January 2020.
Fraudsters know this. They will have been doing their best to optimise their chances of compromising this operating system. Meanwhile, lots of people continue to use it – blissfully unaware of the serious risks.
In January 2023, Windows 8 follows suit and obsolete. Therefore, the minimum supported operating system will become Windows 10.
As of January 2023, you need to be running either Windows 10 or 11 to be GDPR and Cyber Security Essentials compliant.
If you’re unsure of which operating system you’re using then here’s one way to check:
- Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard (the key with the 4 square blocks logo on it – usually just to the left of the spacebar), and whilst it’s held down, press the R key.
- This pops up a box you can type in. Type this phrase and then press the ENTER key: winver
- You’ll now be presented with a screen telling you the version of Windows that you’re running.
