"Is Your Windows PC Safe?"... Hacking Risk from the 14th

"Upgrade to Windows 10 or Switch to Another Vendor's OS"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] As Microsoft (MS) plans to end technical support for 'Windows 7,' concerns are rising that PCs could be left defenseless against hacker attacks. Additionally, cyberattacks originating from North Korea are expected to continue into the new year.

According to the IT industry on the 2nd, MS will terminate technical support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 starting from the 14th. This means MS will no longer provide automatic security updates for PCs using these operating systems (OS).

The problem is that about 20-30% of domestic PCs still use Windows 7. If hackers attack PCs using new programs, Windows 7 PCs without security updates are highly vulnerable to being breached without resistance. Consequently, it is anticipated that Windows 7 will become a major target for hackers worldwide once technical support ends. In fact, during the 2017 'WannaCry ransomware' incident, PCs running Windows XP, which had also ended update support, suffered relatively greater damage.

The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) is urging Windows 7 PC users to switch to newer OS versions, including Windows 10. A KISA official stated, "Once technical support for Windows 7 ends, security updates for new vulnerabilities and bugs will no longer be provided, making systems easily exposed to cyberattacks," and advised, "Users should upgrade to the latest OS, Windows 10, or switch to another vendor's OS."

The government is also preparing countermeasures against potential cyberattacks resulting from the end of Windows 7 support. From today, the Ministry of Science and ICT will establish and operate a 'Windows 7 End of Support Comprehensive Situation Room' at KISA. The situation room will be composed of ▲Comprehensive Countermeasure Team ▲Technical Support Team ▲Situation Team ▲Civil Complaints Team. It will focus on monitoring cyber threats such as malware exploiting new vulnerabilities after Windows 7 support ends, and in case of malware outbreaks, will collaborate with antivirus companies to develop and distribute customized dedicated vaccines to prevent damage spread.

Meanwhile, cyberattacks originating from North Korea are expected to continue into the new year. Phishing emails disguised as estimates for Blue House events were detected through the domestic security industry in December last year, and cyberattacks disguised as North Korean defector support organizations have newly emerged. The security industry also anticipates continued cyberattacks targeting virtual currency (cryptocurrency) related companies. In December last year, KISA and six major domestic security firms announced the '2020 Seven Major Cyberattack Forecasts' and warned about cybersecurity for virtual currency trading sites.