6 Discontinued Programs To Ditch
In technology, like everything else, change offers 
the only constant. Programs we once relied upon as staples, such as Internet Explorer or Adobe Flash, are now considered prehistoric. New tools are forever coming out to make the old obsolete. Discontinued technology leaves computers and networks vulnerable to attacks.
Older technology may still run just fine, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Data breaches most often hit programming that’s not getting updates anymore.
When programs or devices aren’t supported anymore by their origin company, they no longer receive security updates from that company. Continual updating patches recently found or exploited vulnerabilities in the system. Security patches ending means the device is easy to explore and exploit in a cybersecurity breach.
Unpatched system vulnerabilities account for approximately 1 in 3 data breaches.
Discontinued technology, whether software or hardware, can also leave you behind. Using these outdated tools can make your business look old and outdated. Depending on your industry, customers lose faith and trust in a business that doesn’t keep up.
Important reasons to keep using supported technology include:
⦁ Reducing the risk of a data breach or malware infection
⦁ Meeting evolving data privacy compliance requirements
⦁ Keeping a good reputation and fostering customer trust
⦁ Staying competitive in your market
⦁ Mitigating hardware/software compatibility issues
⦁ Enabling enhanced employee productivity
Outdated systems usually clunk. They impede employee productivity. Keeping these older systems in use leads to the loss of key team members from frustration.
Out of all workers surveyed, 49% say they’d consider leaving their jobs due to outdated technology.
Just for you, we listed some of the most outdated tech tools you should replace as soon as you can. Still using any of them on your home or business systems?
Get Rid of This Leftover Tech Now
Internet Explorer
Many moons ago, Internet Explorer (IE) was considered the top browser in the world. Alas, as time wen ton, Google Chrome and other browsers edged it out. Pun definitely intended, including its replacement, Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft started phasing out IE after the introduction of Microsoft Edge in 2015. In the last few years, less and less applications continued supporting use in IE. The browser lost all support from Microsoft as of June 15, 2022.
Adobe Flash
Millions of websites used Adobe Flash in the early 2000s, to the point it became a running joke. Due to unaddressed issues with Flash, other tools now do the animations and presentation Flash could offer. Competition and lack of innovation made the tool obsolete, so Adobe ended it.
Adobe Flash Player lost all support, including security updates or patches, as of January 1, 2021. Do you still have Flash lingering on any of your computers? If you do, uninstall the browser plugin and any Flash software to protect from those vulnerabilities.
Windows 7 and Earlier
Windows 7 was a very popular operating system, but as usual with Microsoft, 7 went the way of the dinosaur.
Microsoft’s replacements, Windows 10 and Windows 11, are now in widespread use. The Windows 7 OS lost all support or updating on January 14, 2020.
While it may still run on a machine, the OS screams, “Hack Me!” at this point. Considering Microsoft’s business applications, any Windows OS system is also a high-value target for hackers. They are always out there looking for systems still running this obsolete version of Windows still on the Internet.
macOS 10.14 Mojave and Earlier
Due to the high cost of iMacs and MacBooks, people who love their Macs tend to hang onto them as long as possible. Once these devices get to a certain age, updates no longer work because there’s not enough room in the hardware. Unfortunately, this leaves the hardware stuck on older and non-supported macOS versions.
Should you notice that your Apple device runs macOS 10.14 Mojave or earlier with no update option, then your OS is no longer supported by Apple, and you need to upgrade.
Oracle 18c Database
If your business uses Oracle databases, check your current version. Anyone running the Oracle 18C Database is vulnerable. Breaches frequently occur due to unpatched system vulnerabilities.
The Oracle 18C Database program lost all support in June of 2021. If you upgraded past 18C, keep an eye out for another upcoming end-of-support date. Both Oracle 19C and 21C lose premiere support in April of 2024, which makes those vulnerable.
Microsoft SQL Server 2014
Another highly popular database tool in the business world is Microsoft’s SQL. Mainstream support already ended for SQL Server 2014. In July of 2024, all support, including security updates and instability patches, will stop.
This means you get a little more time to upgrade before you’re in danger of not getting security patches. However, it is better to upgrade sooner rather than later. Doing so leaves plenty of time for testing and verification of the upgrade.
Why Is This Published By A Business Phone Company?
Well, for starters, we’re a variety of IT company. We manage your business phones and Internet, letting you get on with communicating through them.
Here at NoContractVoIP, we believe that your success is our success. To get the latest helpful content delivered to your inbox every month, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Looking for the finest stress-free custom business telephone systems? Contact us or call today at 866-550-0005!