Those organizations that keep working on Microsoft Windows 7 platforms risk of being the victim of cyberattacks, according to FBI.
It seems that hackers target organizations’ computer network infrastructure after the system gets the end of life status. Companies that will continue to use these platforms may give hackers a way into the network.
Microsoft has ended support for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and 2008 R2, and this means that these platforms will not receive security updates anymore.
Microsoft has offered an ESU – Extended Security Update plan to its customers. This one allowed a “paid-per-device” option for Professional and Enterprise versions. It is good to keep in mind that the price will increase the longer a customer uses the option and that the plan will expire in January 2023.
But the problem has to do with healthcare. More than 50% of the sector actually realizes on Windows 7. The Forescout research showed that 70% of the healthcare’s IoT and medical devices operate on this kind of platform. These details are alarming, and it might just do an easier job for the hacker.
The thing is that the FBI is aware of the fact that an increase in system compromises happens due to the continuation of the use of these platforms that are unsupported. After the support of Windows XP ended back on April 28, 2014, the healthcare sector was found with an increase in exposed records a year later, in 2015.
What does the FBI have to say about this?
According to the FBI, “As time passes, Windows 7 becomes more vulnerable to exploitation due to lack of security updates and new vulnerabilities discovered. Microsoft and other industry professionals strongly recommend upgrading computer systems to actively supported operating systems.”
