Last security update for Internet Explorer 9 or 10 is Jan 12, 2016
January 7, 2016
This article should be taken seriously by anybody running a Windows 7 or 8.0 computer that has a version of Internet Explorer below version 11. After the Windows Updates on January 12, 2016, there won't be any more security fixes for versions of Internet Explorer below version 11.
Why? Because Microsoft has decided to mothball older versions of Internet Explorer and only provide patches for versions 11 and any that may follow (if any!). It is actually believed that version 11 will be the final one for IE. All of Microsoft's browser development is now being focused on the new Edge browser and IE is relegated to the back row..
What does this mean for versions IE below version 11?
It means that, like Windows XP users, your Windows 7 computers will be more at risk of malware infections that exploit weaknesses in Internet Explorer and its components than if it was still receiving security patches. Those aforementioned components are deeply embedded into the operating system. The Internet Explorer rendering engine is called upon to display HTML email when you open it in Microsoft Outlook, or Windows Live Mail. That is but one example of many. You don't have to actually open Internet Explorer as a browser to be at risk of specifically targeted attacks on its components.
Since most attacks are still aimed at an opened browser, it is imperative that you check what version of Internet Explorer you have installed. Do this whether you normally browse the Internet with IE, or Firefox, or Chrome, or another brand. Open Internet Explorer and look for the gear icon on the upper right. Click on it and mouse down to "About Internet Explorer." Click on that and you will see a screen containing the version number and possibly a checkbox to automatically update when a new version is available. If that box is unchecked, check it. Then use your Start Menu link to check for Windows Updates. If you see an update for IE 11, accept it.
Updating to IE 11 will ensure that your computer will still receive patches for that version, which are released after zero day exploits targeting IE and Windows are discovered and reported to Microsoft. Leaving your version at a lesser number leaves your PC more exposed to malware targeting unpatched versions of IE and its components.
As I alluded to in the title of this article, Microsoft is sending out the final patches for Windows 8.0 machines. If you haven't upgraded to Windows 8.1 and are able to, please accept that service pack. All future security patches for Windows series 8 will only be provided to machines running 8.1. So, if you have Windows 8.0, you have to upgrade to version 8.1 and upgrade the browser to IE 11. If your computer's hardware cannot accept the upgrade to 8.1, at least upgrade Internet Explorer!
Stay safe. It's a jungle out there!
