Lessons Learned from a Real-Life Example
Don’t wait to upgrade to Windows 11 and move on from Office 2016 before both reach End of Life (EOL) in mid-October. Delaying can put your business at risk! Here’s a real-life example of what happened when a nearby firm put off upgrading before EOL.
Once Upon a Time
A small accounting firm with 20 employees was using outdated technology—Windows 7 on all office computers and an old server running Windows Server 2008. Budget concerns and the mindset that their system was “good enough” kept them from upgrading.
Then in early 2024, hackers exploited a Windows SmartScreen flaw. The zero-day vulnerability let malware slip past defenses unnoticed, infecting systems and stealing data—a reminder that even trusted Windows features need regular patching to stay secure.
Impact and Repercussions
- Data Loss. Important tax documents and client records were locked.
- Financial Costs. They had to pay a hefty ransom to regain access.
- Reputation Damage. Clients lost trust, leading to lost business.
- Compliance Issues. The breach raised legal and regulatory concerns.
Lessons Learned
The firm learned the hard way—keeping technology up to date is essential. They finally upgraded to Windows 10, installed a modern server, and implemented regular security updates and backups to prevent future breaches.
The Moral of the Story
Staying current with software and hardware isn’t just about convenience—it’s about security.
IT Radix recommends upgrading to Windows 11 and a newer version of Microsoft Office to avoid unnecessary risks. Reach out to us for a happily-ever-after and secure IT ending!
First published in our June 2025 IT Radix Resource newsletter