What is end of support?
Beginning January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system will receive technical supports and security updates. Internet Explorer 11 is the last version of Internet Explorer, and will continue to receive security updates, compatibility fixes, and technical support on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.
What does this mean?
It means you should take action. After January 12, 2016, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for older versions of Internet Explorer. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware, helping to keep users and their data safer. Regular security updates help protect computers from malicious attacks, so upgrading and staying current is important.
How do I upgrade Internet Explorer?
Enterprise Customers:
Microsoft offers large organizations (500+ employees) in-depth technical resources, tools, and expert guidance to ease the deployment and management of Windows, Office and Internet Explorer products and technologies. Learn more about migration and deployment programs by contacting your Certified Microsoft Partner.
Small to Medium Business:
There are many options for small and medium businesses considering a browser upgrade. Small to mid-size organizations (Microsoft Certified Partner to understand the best options to meet their business needs.
Home PC Users:
As a home user, you most likely have Automatic Updates turned on, and have already upgraded to Internet Explorer 11 without having to do anything. If you haven't turned on Automatic Updates yet, do so now by clicking the Check for Updates button on the Windows Update portion of the Control Panel to get started.
Potential risks of using older versions of Internet Explorer
Running older versions of Internet Explorer after January 12, 2016 may expose you to potential risks, such as:
Security:
Without critical browser security updates, your PC may become vulnerable to harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software which can steal or damage your business data and information.
Compliance:
Businesses that are governed by regulatory obligations such as HIPAA should conduct due diligence to assess whether they are still able to satisfy compliance requirements using unsupported software.
Lack of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Support:
Many software vendors no longer support older versions of Internet Explorer. For example, Office 365 takes advantage of modern web standards and runs best with the latest browser.
CCR is a Certified Microsoft Partner, if you have any questions or need assistance with an upgrade we are happy to assist – contact us at 248.284.7100 or email us at: info@ccr1.com.
