Using Google Chrome on these Operating Systems Will be Risky
Google Chrome is one of the best web browsers around, and this is highlighted by its growing usage statistics around the world. In January 2015, the number of Chrome users around the world was around the 62% mark, and in the month of September this number has gone up to 66% of all Internet users around the world. Moreover, Chrome also has around 800 million mobile users around the world now. However, Google Chrome has now announced that it will soon be dropping support for some operating systems from April 2016. So it would be wise for users of these OS’s to either switch to another browser, or update their OS.
Google Chrome drops support for the following operating systems
In a recent entry on the Google Chrome blog, it was announced that the below mentioned operating systems will not receive updates and security fixes beyond April 2016:
- Microsoft Windows XP
- Microsoft Windows Vista
- Mac OS X 10.6
- Mac OS X 10.7
- Mac OS X 10.8
They then encourage users of these operating systems to move to other platforms which will continue to receive updates in the future.
What this means for users of Google Chrome
As mentioned in the post, Chrome will not receive further updates or security fixes on these operating systems beyond the stipulated date. This does not mean that users of these operating systems will not be able to use Google Chrome beyond April 2016. However, it does mean that using Google Chrome will become inherently unsafe.
Web browsers regularly receive updates and security patches to protect users against several online threats such as phishing, adware, Malvertising and more. However, once a browser stops receiving updates, user security and privacy becomes more vulnerable and visible to cyber-attackers.
Recommendations for Google Chrome users to maintain security
So for users of the aforementioned operating systems, it is strongly suggested that they either use another browser after April 2016, or use another operating system that is supported by the popular programs and applications.
This will enable users to stay protected against security vulnerabilities, and also receive proactive defense against various malware and virus types. If you are using an old machine that came with these operating systems pre-installed, it may be time to get a new machine then. Simply put, new hardware costs far less than the price of losing precious data or having your online security compromised.
Using an effective security solution such as Quick Heal Total Security or Quick Heal Total Security for Mac will also be helpful in such cases. The in-built vulnerability scan feature scans installed programs for security holes and then provides additional protection. For further updates on related stories, stay tuned to the Quick Heal blog.
