On January 14, 2020, Microsoft Windows 7 reached end of life.  What does this mean?  Microsoft is no longer providing technical support, software patches, or security updates for Windows 7.  If your firm is still running on Windows 7, you are probably questioning – what do I do now?  Windows 7 will still work, however, it is strongly recommended to update your systems to the latest software, such as Windows 10, as soon as possible.  

The Issue

The issue Windows 7 users will face is that their system will be left exposed to new security vulnerabilities.  In order to continue to receive technical support, Microsoft has urged users to switch over to Windows 10. 

Next Steps

It is encouraged to those using Windows 7 to upgrade their system as soon as possible, especially businesses.  This is because businesses hold large amounts of sensitive data and it is inevitable that attackers may try to exploit them by looking for unsupported and unpatched areas in your system for easy access.  So, what do you do now?

What Steps Do We Recommend? 

• Upgrades: Upgrading your software is very important to maintain proper security.  Without security updates or fixes, you are putting your computer and data at risk from malware attacks.
• Backups: We recommend backing up your data as often as possible.  Ransomware attacks are on the rise and if businesses choose not to upgrade their software from Windows 7, these attacks put those firms at particular risk.  In case you are attacked, backups allow you to restore your data back to the format required to run your business.  
• Monitoring: Routinely checking up on your data and your security is key to prevent an attack and stay one step ahead.  After transitioning to an upgraded software from Windows 7, being knowledgeable and confident about the data you have and what is on your network will help you in the long run.  This will allow you to stay up-to-date on any unpatched areas in your system and help solve any problems as soon as possible.

Our Solution

Boxtop is a secure cloud solution, which simplifies your IT and offers you multiple layers of security, monitoring, and full backups.  Boxtop is also updated regularly, so there is no need to worry about upgrading your software when issues like Windows 7 arise.  Boxtop is a familiar and personalized Windows desktop interface that is accessible from any internet connected device. 

Ultimately, upgrading your system from Windows 7 is necessary.  Without upgrades, your system and data are targets to cyberattacks.  Cyberattacks are not going to disappear, so having great, up-to-date security is very important.  Having Windows 7 or not, Microsoft’s announcement is a great wake-up call for businesses to stop and think about their IT security and systems.

Consider Boxtop as your cloud solution.  Boxtop looks and feels like your Windows PC, without any IT headaches.  For more information or to request your free trial, visit https://www.tabush.com/boxtop-video-demo-form.