Nothing lasts forever, and that’s definitely true of operating systems. As OS updates and improvements occur, old systems become obsolete. Companies may continue to use an outdated OS without knowing that they’re opening themselves to new vulnerabilities and security risks. Here’s what you need to know about end-of-life operating systems.
What’s an end-of-life OS?
Every good thing must come to an end. All software reaches an end-of-life phase as new development emerges. After an end-of-life date, vendors won’t support their software or OS with repairs or fixes for security weaknesses. For example, CentOS 6 EOL had its users migrating to CentOS 7 of Ubuntu for necessary patches and updates.
End-of-life risks
Even though operating systems have end-of-life dates, it can be tempting to continue to use them rather than upgrade. Companies and individuals who use obsolete systems run several risks that leave their data and network vulnerable. Here are a few of the inherent risks in using an outdated OS.
Legal risks
Organizations that deal with sensitive private information such as health records or banking information must have up-to-date operating systems or face the legal risks of compliance issues. Fines and lawsuits can follow.
Incompatibility
Using an old OS past its end-of-life date can also mean that your OS is not compatible with newer systems, which can slow down the computing speed of your organization. Original equipment manufacturers, also called OEMs, design hardware to update along with operating systems, so replacing hardware and software upgrades every three to five years is necessary.
Security weaknesses
Old operating systems that can’t be updated with the latest security measures leave you and your company’s security vulnerable to hackers. Crypto mining software targets weaknesses in Windows and Linux, so keeping ahead of cybercrime calls for newer, safer operating systems.
Increased maintenance costs
Economizing by not updating an OS is a false economy. Old end-of-life operating systems require more maintenance, which requires time and money. Newer systems need less maintenance and do a better job of protecting valuable information from security risks.
Slower speeds
Continuing to use old operating systems after their end-of-life date can slow down your computing performance. Your customer contact can suffer from this bottleneck because Google’s algorithms favor faster loading speeds. Sites that take longer than three seconds to load will lose half of their visitors, who will move to the websites of your rivals.
Those who stay on Magento 1 after its end of life, for example, will face slower speeds since they will no longer receive performance updates.
Extended OS support could be an answer
There may be a way to put some end-of-life operating systems on life support. Some vendors offer extended support for dated operating systems that can keep these older operating systems protected and supported. Extended lifecycle support, or ELS, will keep your OS in compliance and secure, although this route can be expensive.
OS updates are the safe option
The benefits of a new OS – greater security and faster performance with less maintenance – make OS replacement the most cost-effective choice for businesses, organizations, and individuals.
