A small business still operates several PCs running an operating system that has reached end-of-life (EOL). Which of the following best explains why this practice increases the organization's security risk?
Select one answer.
The OS automatically disables its firewall service once support ends, exposing all network ports.
EOL status forces the OS to download updates more frequently, overloading system resources.
Disk-defragmentation utilities stop working, causing file-system corruption that hackers can leverage.
The vendor no longer provides security patches, so newly discovered vulnerabilities remain unpatched and exploitable.
When an OS is declared EOL, the vendor discontinues security updates and patches. Any vulnerabilities discovered after that date remain unpatched, giving attackers a permanent foothold unless the organization implements costly compensating controls or upgrades the OS.
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What does end-of-life (EOL) mean in the context of operating systems?
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What are some potential risks of using an unsupported operating system?
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What steps can organizations take to mitigate the risks of using EOL operating systems?