Microsoft finalized Windows 7 updates in January 2020, but a NetMarketShare survey shows that nearly a quarter of the world’s computers still have the operating system.
According to the survey, 23.34% of all laptops and desktops worldwide still use the old Microsoft operating system. Worse: 0.82% remain on Windows XP.
Security is one of the main problems of being on a no longer updated platform. As criminals discover new holes in the operating system, Microsoft releases a new package of updates to combat possible intrusions. As such, updates no longer happen in Windows 7. The device is unprotected.
This week, the FBI sent its partners a note warning of the risks of using the outdated platform. In the message, the agency was categorical in reinforcing the lack of security: “Continuing to use Windows 7 in a company may allow cyber criminals to enter the computer system. As time passes, Windows 7 becomes more vulnerable due to lack of security updates and discovery of new vulnerabilities.”
According to the FBI, there has been an increase in the number of information leaks in the health industry in the United States since April 2014, with the end of Windows XP. Among the threats, the agency points out vulnerabilities such as EternalBlue and BlueKeep, which still exist without an update in Windows 7.
Market
The survey also shows 87.03% of computers worldwide have Windows, regardless of version. Of these, 59.37% are already updated to Windows 10, the best number of adhesions in the company’s entire history.
In addition to Microsoft’s operating system, macOS has an 8.95% market share; followed by Linux, which is present in 3% of the total. Finally, only 0.39% of computers have ChromeOS.
Source: NetMarketShare, ZDNet
