Users running El Capitan, High Sierra, and older versions of the Mac operating systems have just had access blocked to multiple sites. This is due to losing the support of an important root security certificate.
Many users running older versions can’t get to secure websites any longer as of the end of September and need to upgrade or purchase a new computer.
This security certificate has been updated in later versions of macOS, but those older versions have been left out in the cold. These operating system users will notice that websites that used to load do not load any longer because of an outdated certificate.
This loss of support isn’t only for websites, you’ll find that other software providers are also dropping support for those older versions of Mac for a similar reason. For example, Sophos Home Premium and free antivirus software are also no longer supporting updates for El Capitan, Sierra, and High Sierra operating systems.
Why You Should Not Be Running an Outdated Operating System
This new loss of support due to the security certificate only compounds the issues that older Mac users were facing. For example, the macOS El Capitan already hit the end of life in August 2018 and stopped receiving security updates from Apple.
Sierra reached that same loss of support on October 7, 2019, and High Sierra reached it on December 1, 2020.
So, users were already rolling the dice on a virus or malware infection with those three no-longer supported operating systems.
Understandably, Mac users tend to hang onto their computers for years because they cost so much to begin with. But the average lifespan of a business computer is 3 to 5 years, so if you’re running High Sierra or earlier on your mac, then there’s a good chance you’ve had your computer longer than that.
Here are the key reasons it’s important to keep your operating system updated and not use it past the end-of-life date.
You’re at High Risk of a Security Breach
Approximately 60% of data breaches are due to unpatched system vulnerabilities. Once your operating system reaches the end of life, you’re no longer receiving those vital security patches and updates that come from the manufacturer.
This means that your system is open season for hackers sending viruses, ransomware, and other malware through phishing emails and malicious websites. You can end up more easily falling prey to these attacks because your OS is no longer protected.
You Can Suffer from Software & Hardware Incompatibility
If you’re a few operating system versions behind the current one, you have a much bigger chance of having your access to new software, software updates, and hardware restricted.
The Sophos loss of support mentioned above is just one example. Software and hardware developers are focusing on the current and future operating systems because it’s no longer lucrative for them to continue developing their tools for outdated ones.
You could end up missing out on helpful upgrades of the software tools you use or be forced to use older printers and other peripherals because your system doesn’t support the newest models.
Lower Employee Morale
When employees are held back from doing their best because of outdated technology, their morale can suffer. They may even stop giving their maximum effort because they feel they’re not properly supported.
Some employees will even leave a company due to a lack of current digital tools making their job much harder to accomplish.
If you want to keep a productive workforce, or positively impact your own productivity, it’s important to stay current with your operating system version so you can support other current software.
More Downtime
When running an older operating system, you’re inevitably going to run into more bugs and problems. The older a system gets, the more it can shut down without warning, have mechanical issues, and slow to a crawl due to outdated firmware.
You may be losing more time and money than you are saving by not upgrading your OS or buying a new computer. Each minute that your PC is down is costing you money and hurting your productivity.
You may also find yourself in the repair shop more often than you’d like, and those repair bills to keep an older model running can quickly add up until it’s no longer viable to keep the older system.
Get Help Upgrading Your Mac or Windows PC
Two River Computer helps Fair Haven residential and business clients with all types of IT support. This includes helping you upgrade your computer and ensuring that all your data and settings are expertly migrated from the old system to the new one.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 732-747-0020 or reach us online.
