Why does running an old operating system matter? Who is it hurting really?
Running an operating system that is no longer supported by its vendor poses a significant security risk to not only yourself but others on a network that you connect to. This means that any security vulnerability that is discovered after end of support will not be fixed, leaving your system open and an easy target for cybercriminals to attack / exploit.
What can be accessed if my system is compromised?
If your computer is accessed, the unauthorized individual could access UND’s data as well as any private information you may have stored on the device. The attacker could gain access to your UND login credentials or other sites you log into on your device.
The attack could affect you individually in the form of identity theft or a financial crime or could affect UND as a whole in the form of losing customer trust or reputational loss if student data is stolen.
What frequently used Operating Systems are no longer supported?
Microsoft
- Windows XP
- Support ended April 8, 2014
- Windows 7
- Support Ended January 14, 2020
- Windows 8/8.1
- Support ended January 10, 2023
- Windows 10
- Support is ending October 14, 2025
Apple
- macOS versions Ventura and earlier
- iOS versions 15 and earlier
- iPadOS versions 15 and earlier
I cannot upgrade, as critical software I utilize for UND is not compatible with the latest Operating System. Is there an exemption process?
If you believe you have a unique case that will interfere with your ability to do work for UND please submit a ticket here: Service Offering - Submit an Unsupported Opera....
UIT acknowledges that certain research projects and specialized applications may require the use of legacy operating systems such as older versions of Windows, macOS, or Linux. In these circumstances, the Cybersecurity team will engage with you as part of the exemption process to carefully assess your requirements, implement appropriate safeguards, and ensure that UND’s computing environment remains secure and compliant.
What are the repercussions if I don’t upgrade?
Operating systems that are no longer supported by vendors invite significant security vulnerabilities, creating risks not only for the individual users but for the entire UND network. In alignment with NDUS, NDIT, and UND Cybersecurity compliance requirements, the use of unsupported operating systems cannot be permitted to access university resources.
To protect UND’s systems and users from potential security incidents, devices running unsupported operating systems will have restricted access to UND’s internal systems, applications, and other institutional resources. These restrictions will be enforced until the device is upgraded to a supported operating system or an exemption is completed.