Microsoft recently made an “end-of-life” announcement that impacts older versions of its web browser (specifically Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10). Effective January 12, all versions of Internet Explorer, except for the current version 11) will no longer be supported by Microsoft. For PC users still running these outdated web browsers, you’ve probably noticed that your older versions of Internet Explorer are still running, but we encourage you to proceed down that road with extreme caution. Not switching to a supported browser opens your IT infrastructure to significant malware and security threats, given that cyber attackers frequently target unpatched vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer.
While this development may temporarily complicate the job of some IT managers, especially if your organization runs legacy business applications that rely on these older versions of Internet Explorer, we believe the long term impact of this change is a positive one. Unfortunately for Microsoft, however, for some business that are currently running on older operating systems, updating to Internet Explorer 11 may not be a viable option and will likely force customers to try the likes of Chrome or Firefox, while they decide whether or not to take on the monumental task of updating their operating system infrastructure.
From a developer’s perspective, however, this change is a dream come true. Gone are the days where developers have to jump through tremendous hoops to make applications work with outdated browser technology. And at the end of the day, this likely means fewer “buggy” applications for end users, too.
If you are one of the businesses that were more-or-less “left in the dark” when Microsoft abandoned support for Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10, don’t hesitate to contact the team at ATB. We can help your evaluate your current application and operating system needs and help you decide how to best proceed with the smallest possible impact on your current business operations.