January 15th 2016
This week saw the end of Microsoft’s support for three versions of its Internet Explorer web browser. This means that if you use anything but the latest version (v11), you are warned to upgrade to avoid issues such as malware and system bugs.
Microsoft no longer supplies updates or support for versions 8, 9 and 10 of the program, in line with its migration to its new browser – Microsoft Edge – currently available only with the Windows 10 operating system.
Web browsers are one of the most common targets for attacks by cybercriminals. Like any other software program, the end of support means that patches – that fix security vulnerabilities – also stop being issued. Security experts are predicting an increase in attacks on these outdated, no longer supported versions of Internet Explorer.
Updating to newer versions of web browsers generally also brings benefits of faster browsing and an improved experience of using modern websites.If you are not sure which version you are using, click on tools in the top right hand corner of the browser, and select About Internet Explorer.
If you run any older version of Microsoft Internet Explorer than v11, you should visit Microsoft’s advice page on upgrading, or change to one of the other leading browsers, which are easily downloadable.
