The Time Has Come: Internet Explorer 8, 9, 10 Put To Pasture

At one point, Microsoft's web browser was considered to be the web browser, wresting the crown away from then forever king Netscape. Those were, however, Internet Explorer's golden days and the browser has since then become the butt of jokes in the Internet community. So it is almost fitting, but still with a heavy heart for some, that Microsoft has started 2016 by cutting off Internet Explorer versions 8, 9, and 10 from its font of continuous support and fixes. Same with Windows 8, which has also been a source of ridicule since its debut.

To be clear, those using Internet Explorer 8, 9, and 10 as well as Windows 8 will still be able to keep on using them as if nothing happened. The point is that nothing will really happen anymore. Those software will no longer change, will no longer receive any official support, will no longer get any security and bug fixes. Considering those browser versions are often the most vulnerable to security exploits, that might serve as enough incentive to upgrade, at least to IE 11.

Then again, those sticking to these old browsers usually do so because of compatibility with some plugin or website, not because they are the most secure. Chances are, they will continue using those browsers until the plugins and websites either get updated or die. Microsoft is probably hoping that giving the cold shoulder will help convince users to update. Probably not.

As for Windows 8, it's not exactly insecure, at least as far as software goes. It should be insecure for being somewhat of a flop. With Windows 8.1 fixing many, but not all, of the issues users had with Windows 8, it might make sense to upgrade to this freely available version already. Even if Windows 8 extended support will continue for the next 7 years.

Then again, what Microsoft really wants is for users to upgrade to Windows 10, available for free for legit Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users, immediately. But that might be pushing its luck too far.

VIA: Hot Hardware