HSBC Promoting Windows 10 Upgrade

JustJohn_2

I am an HSBC current account and credit card holder. I also still use the Windows 7 operating system: That is my choice because, at my  age, I see no reason to change my hardware and operating system at some considerable cost.  In any case Windows 7 may not be getting any further OS upgrades, but it still gets anti-virus and firewall updates.  HSBC are actively promoting that customers change to Windows 10 but, when asked to explain this policy, are reluctant to do so. I asked the customer service representative to get HSBC's IT people to provide a written explanation as to why they were giving out this advice but that request was refused.  I also said that, if HSBC were so keen for poeople to upgrade, maybe they would like to pay for the necessary hardware and software. That'll be a "No" then.  Maybe Windows 7 will cease to be supported by other software providers at some point but, until that happens, I see no reason to "upgrade" at present. Surely it is not the business of HSBC to act as sales representatives of other organisations?

Tildaplum

I agree with you totally - it is not the business of HSBC to act as sales representatives of other organisations

However what it is their business to do is to ensure the security of their banking systems

This is why they are asking you to upgrade to Windows 10

You would not expect them to support Windows 3.1 or Windows XP or Windows Vista so why should you expect them to support Windows 7 - it is an outdated operating system

By all means keep W7 - that is your choice - but don't expect banks to allow you to bank with them in the future if you run on that system

rawhammered

Ok blooper.

J_B

JustJohn_2 said:I see no reason to change my hardware and operating system at some considerable cost. 

One for the Techie Stuff forum really, but you can get W10 for no cost and your hardware may well cope admirably with it.

A_Lert

Security updates for Windows 7 now have to be paid for, and getting them as an individual (as opposed to a business) may be a pain in the behind.

Running an OS that is not receiving security updates is unsafe.

Other up-to-date operating systems are available (I'm running Ubuntu myself), but for most users Windows 10 will be easiest to switch to and most compatible with their existing hardware and programs. HSBC's advice is reasonable.

mwarby

Also bear in mind it’s not just you taking the risk. If you do ever suffer from fraud it may never be proven how it occurred, it also looks bad if they refuse to put it right. So understandably HSBC are keen for you to use OS with security updates, and at some point may even move to blocking windows 7 machines from logging on

born_again

It will come to a point where W7 will no longer be able to update browsers to a level that HSBC & other banks will allow you to use due to security.
OP
Hsbc already state why 
https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/bib-help-centre/system-requirement

drinae

My old laptop had Windows 7 up until last week. I was able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free and it was quite easy and fast, and I'm not technical at all - just followed the instructions on screen. I was able to keep all my software/apps and I'm very glad I upgraded. My laptop is now much faster and I got rid of all the annoying messages telling me Windows 7 isn't supported anymore.

These are the instructions I followed: 
theverge.com/2020/1/14/21065140/how-to-upgrade-microsoft-windows-7-10-free-os 

PS. I did move all my files (photos, doscs) on an storage drive before I upgraded, just in case. I keep that as a back up. 

djjd70

In my opinion HSBC are doing you a favour, shame they can't explain why. Using unsupported operating systems means security updates are no longer installed meaning your computer is increasingly less secure. I still have Windows 7 and am not using it for internet banking or anything requiring username or password. (Bought a new Windows 10 PC, just need to set it up.) Remember the NHS ransomware problem a while back - that was caused by the trusts using unsupported old Windows XP at the time.

Prism

Also, when support for an operating system ends the attacks on it increase significantly. Basically all of the updates for Windows 10 will be analysed by those attackers to see which ones might work on unpatched Windows 7. I wouldn't even consider doing banking on it anymore. Anti-virus and firewalls serve little benefit to these types of attacks

penners324

So either update to Windows 10 or stop using online banking 
....