Is there a problem with using Outdated versions of Microsoft Office?
byMark Townsend
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28 Jan, 2020
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Products over 10 years old have security vulnerabilities
At the moment I am busy updating large numbers of Computers from Windows 7 to Windows 10 as many users waited until the January 2020 deadline to make the move. Some people waited because they had heard Windows 10 wasn't very good and some waited because they loved Windows 7. However, the biggest factor in people switching now is that they have become aware that Windows 7 will no longer receive security updates and therefore continuing to use it puts themselves, their data and their finances at risk. When upgrading Computers I often find copies of Microsoft Office 2002, XP and 2007 still on there so are these a risk as well?
The simple answer is YES. Even if you have updated to Windows 10 in order to remain fully secure if you continue to use software that is no longer supported then you still have a security vulnerability on your Computer. At this point I will make it clear that I am not linked with Microsoft in any way so the only point of this article is to keep Customers fully informed, not to sell Microsoft's software for them!!
The first step in understanding any risks is understanding Microsoft's Product Life Cycle. They typically release a new version of Microsoft Office every three years so Office 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019. After the release of a product Microsoft continue to develop it for around 5 years. This means that as well as security updates you will receive product updates that include new features. Once the product gets to five years old they end Mainstream Support and the product enters Extended Support. During this period there will be no further product updates and the only thing you will receive is security updates for critical vulnerabilities. Then after 10 years (roughly) Extended Support ends and no further security updates will be released. At this point the product becomes a security risk if you don't update to a newer version. This can be confusing for Customers because they purchased what was described as a 'Lifetime Licence'. The explanation for this is that the licence and product will of course continue to work after 10 years it's just that the security risk makes it unwise to continue to do so. Microsoft Office 2010 pictured above goes end of life in October 2020 and it's successor Microsoft Office 2013 goes end of life in April 2023.
So what are the actual risks if you continue using it? One example is if somebody creates an infected Microsoft Word Document and e-mails it out to unsuspecting recipients. A security patch in place on Office 2010 onwards will block the infection should you actually open it. However, the attack will be successful on Office 2007 users because they haven't received the security patch. Another example is direct hacking attempts on your Computer itself. Loopholes allowing hackers in will remain on Computers running Office 2007 whereas these will be fixed for anybody running Office 2010 onwards. An attack on your Computer may be invisible to you but attacks are sometimes accompanied by unexpected crashes of your Computer so if this sort of thing is happening and you have outdated software it is time to be suspicious.
What are the options? Microsoft have now released a Product called Office 365 to run alongside the 3 yearly versions of Microsoft Office with 'Lifetime Licences'. If you purchase Office 365 you are buying a subscription to Microsoft Office rather than actually owning the Product. The good news is that you will continue to receive every available update for as long as you continue paying. The bad news is that you will pay £59.99 every year and therefore over the 10 year period will pay £599 rather than the £100 - £250 (depending on version) that you will pay to own Office outright. You also have to be aware that if you stop paying the software stops working straight away. Another plus point for Office 365 is that you can buy a five user licence for £79.99 and therefore if you have multiple Computers in your household this can be quite cost effective at £799 over the ten year period. As always there are other pluses and minuses depending on whether you like change or not. Some people like to learn one version of Office and keep using it for 10 years. A version change every three years, new things to learn, format changes causing things to print differently simply drive these people mad whereas others actually want the latest version of Office the second it comes out.
Churchdown Computers are always happy to provide free advice on Software and Security. We are not resellers of Microsoft Products but can of course obtain them should a Customer wish to order them through us. If we can help at allthen call Mark on 07557 483438, e-mail mark@churchdowncomputers.co.uk or fill out the form at the bottom of theContact page.
