Is an up-to-date browser secure on an out-of-date OS?
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Windows 7 support will end on January 14, 2020. Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe? Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS? Is there any number on this?
Related: Why should browser security be prioritized?
web-browser appsec operating-systems windows-7
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
add a comment |
Windows 7 support will end on January 14, 2020. Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe? Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS? Is there any number on this?
Related: Why should browser security be prioritized?
web-browser appsec operating-systems windows-7
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
1
Why not just install Windows 10? It's a pain, but you can disable the privacy-violating "telemetry" features and change the desktop to look more like that of 7. Windows 10 has significantly superior security anyways.
– forest
3 hours ago
thanks. My machine is quite old. I stick to Windows 7 just for the low requirements on hardware
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Perhaps you should consider switching to a popular Linux distribution like Ubuntu then. It's secure, privacy-friendly, and works very well on a wide-variety of hardware (even old hardware).
– forest
2 hours ago
unfortunately, I need Windows programs (AutoHotKey, ShareX, ManicTime). Libre Office can replace MS Office, but it's buggy for large files
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Wine works for many programs, and there are good (sometimes superior) alternatives to many Windows-native programs that are incompatible with Wine. I suppose you'll have to decide whether or not it's important enough for you to buy a new computer (and continue to do so every few years).
– forest
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Windows 7 support will end on January 14, 2020. Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe? Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS? Is there any number on this?
Related: Why should browser security be prioritized?
web-browser appsec operating-systems windows-7
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
Windows 7 support will end on January 14, 2020. Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe? Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS? Is there any number on this?
Related: Why should browser security be prioritized?
web-browser appsec operating-systems windows-7
web-browser appsec operating-systems windows-7
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
edited 45 mins ago
forest
39.8k18128144
39.8k18128144
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
asked 4 hours ago
OokerOoker
5761611
5761611
1
Why not just install Windows 10? It's a pain, but you can disable the privacy-violating "telemetry" features and change the desktop to look more like that of 7. Windows 10 has significantly superior security anyways.
– forest
3 hours ago
thanks. My machine is quite old. I stick to Windows 7 just for the low requirements on hardware
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Perhaps you should consider switching to a popular Linux distribution like Ubuntu then. It's secure, privacy-friendly, and works very well on a wide-variety of hardware (even old hardware).
– forest
2 hours ago
unfortunately, I need Windows programs (AutoHotKey, ShareX, ManicTime). Libre Office can replace MS Office, but it's buggy for large files
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Wine works for many programs, and there are good (sometimes superior) alternatives to many Windows-native programs that are incompatible with Wine. I suppose you'll have to decide whether or not it's important enough for you to buy a new computer (and continue to do so every few years).
– forest
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
Why not just install Windows 10? It's a pain, but you can disable the privacy-violating "telemetry" features and change the desktop to look more like that of 7. Windows 10 has significantly superior security anyways.
– forest
3 hours ago
thanks. My machine is quite old. I stick to Windows 7 just for the low requirements on hardware
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Perhaps you should consider switching to a popular Linux distribution like Ubuntu then. It's secure, privacy-friendly, and works very well on a wide-variety of hardware (even old hardware).
– forest
2 hours ago
unfortunately, I need Windows programs (AutoHotKey, ShareX, ManicTime). Libre Office can replace MS Office, but it's buggy for large files
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Wine works for many programs, and there are good (sometimes superior) alternatives to many Windows-native programs that are incompatible with Wine. I suppose you'll have to decide whether or not it's important enough for you to buy a new computer (and continue to do so every few years).
– forest
1 hour ago
1
1
Why not just install Windows 10? It's a pain, but you can disable the privacy-violating "telemetry" features and change the desktop to look more like that of 7. Windows 10 has significantly superior security anyways.
– forest
3 hours ago
Why not just install Windows 10? It's a pain, but you can disable the privacy-violating "telemetry" features and change the desktop to look more like that of 7. Windows 10 has significantly superior security anyways.
– forest
3 hours ago
thanks. My machine is quite old. I stick to Windows 7 just for the low requirements on hardware
– Ooker
2 hours ago
thanks. My machine is quite old. I stick to Windows 7 just for the low requirements on hardware
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Perhaps you should consider switching to a popular Linux distribution like Ubuntu then. It's secure, privacy-friendly, and works very well on a wide-variety of hardware (even old hardware).
– forest
2 hours ago
Perhaps you should consider switching to a popular Linux distribution like Ubuntu then. It's secure, privacy-friendly, and works very well on a wide-variety of hardware (even old hardware).
– forest
2 hours ago
unfortunately, I need Windows programs (AutoHotKey, ShareX, ManicTime). Libre Office can replace MS Office, but it's buggy for large files
– Ooker
2 hours ago
unfortunately, I need Windows programs (AutoHotKey, ShareX, ManicTime). Libre Office can replace MS Office, but it's buggy for large files
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Wine works for many programs, and there are good (sometimes superior) alternatives to many Windows-native programs that are incompatible with Wine. I suppose you'll have to decide whether or not it's important enough for you to buy a new computer (and continue to do so every few years).
– forest
1 hour ago
Wine works for many programs, and there are good (sometimes superior) alternatives to many Windows-native programs that are incompatible with Wine. I suppose you'll have to decide whether or not it's important enough for you to buy a new computer (and continue to do so every few years).
– forest
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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Do not use an outdated OS, even with a modern browser.
Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe?
No, you cannot avoid browser-based security holes only by updating the browser. There are a few reasons for this. Primarily, the browser is not entirely self-contained. It makes use of operating system libraries, for example the system memory allocator. This allocator is designed to mitigate various memory corruption-related security issues. If the allocator is not kept up to date, memory exploitation bugs may be easier to perform against the browser, no matter how up to date the browser is.
Another reason is that browser security often relies on OS sandboxing features. A powerful browser exploit must be combined with a so-called sandbox escape. How easy that escape is depends on how secure the operating system is as well as how secure the browser is. By using an outdated operating system, your browser is being protected by out of date and potentially vulnerable security features.
Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
No. Patching operating system vulnerabilities requires elevated privileges, which a browser does not have. Even if it did, browsers are not designed to modify system settings or system files. There is no extension or web page you can go to that is able to patch security vulnerabilities in your OS.
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS?
This is impossible to answer factually. Programs typically continue working on older systems for a very long time. They only stop working when they begin to rely on newer system APIs that aren't present in older versions. This is relatively rare. A browser should be able to run on an outdated operating system for many years, albeit not very securely. Most likely, as it begins to rely on newer and newer APIs, features in the browser will just start breaking one by one (especially security-related features) until it eventually does not start up at all. This does not give you an excuse to use an outdated OS though...
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
add a comment |
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Do not use an outdated OS, even with a modern browser.
Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe?
No, you cannot avoid browser-based security holes only by updating the browser. There are a few reasons for this. Primarily, the browser is not entirely self-contained. It makes use of operating system libraries, for example the system memory allocator. This allocator is designed to mitigate various memory corruption-related security issues. If the allocator is not kept up to date, memory exploitation bugs may be easier to perform against the browser, no matter how up to date the browser is.
Another reason is that browser security often relies on OS sandboxing features. A powerful browser exploit must be combined with a so-called sandbox escape. How easy that escape is depends on how secure the operating system is as well as how secure the browser is. By using an outdated operating system, your browser is being protected by out of date and potentially vulnerable security features.
Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
No. Patching operating system vulnerabilities requires elevated privileges, which a browser does not have. Even if it did, browsers are not designed to modify system settings or system files. There is no extension or web page you can go to that is able to patch security vulnerabilities in your OS.
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS?
This is impossible to answer factually. Programs typically continue working on older systems for a very long time. They only stop working when they begin to rely on newer system APIs that aren't present in older versions. This is relatively rare. A browser should be able to run on an outdated operating system for many years, albeit not very securely. Most likely, as it begins to rely on newer and newer APIs, features in the browser will just start breaking one by one (especially security-related features) until it eventually does not start up at all. This does not give you an excuse to use an outdated OS though...
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
add a comment |
Do not use an outdated OS, even with a modern browser.
Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe?
No, you cannot avoid browser-based security holes only by updating the browser. There are a few reasons for this. Primarily, the browser is not entirely self-contained. It makes use of operating system libraries, for example the system memory allocator. This allocator is designed to mitigate various memory corruption-related security issues. If the allocator is not kept up to date, memory exploitation bugs may be easier to perform against the browser, no matter how up to date the browser is.
Another reason is that browser security often relies on OS sandboxing features. A powerful browser exploit must be combined with a so-called sandbox escape. How easy that escape is depends on how secure the operating system is as well as how secure the browser is. By using an outdated operating system, your browser is being protected by out of date and potentially vulnerable security features.
Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
No. Patching operating system vulnerabilities requires elevated privileges, which a browser does not have. Even if it did, browsers are not designed to modify system settings or system files. There is no extension or web page you can go to that is able to patch security vulnerabilities in your OS.
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS?
This is impossible to answer factually. Programs typically continue working on older systems for a very long time. They only stop working when they begin to rely on newer system APIs that aren't present in older versions. This is relatively rare. A browser should be able to run on an outdated operating system for many years, albeit not very securely. Most likely, as it begins to rely on newer and newer APIs, features in the browser will just start breaking one by one (especially security-related features) until it eventually does not start up at all. This does not give you an excuse to use an outdated OS though...
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
add a comment |
Do not use an outdated OS, even with a modern browser.
Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe?
No, you cannot avoid browser-based security holes only by updating the browser. There are a few reasons for this. Primarily, the browser is not entirely self-contained. It makes use of operating system libraries, for example the system memory allocator. This allocator is designed to mitigate various memory corruption-related security issues. If the allocator is not kept up to date, memory exploitation bugs may be easier to perform against the browser, no matter how up to date the browser is.
Another reason is that browser security often relies on OS sandboxing features. A powerful browser exploit must be combined with a so-called sandbox escape. How easy that escape is depends on how secure the operating system is as well as how secure the browser is. By using an outdated operating system, your browser is being protected by out of date and potentially vulnerable security features.
Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
No. Patching operating system vulnerabilities requires elevated privileges, which a browser does not have. Even if it did, browsers are not designed to modify system settings or system files. There is no extension or web page you can go to that is able to patch security vulnerabilities in your OS.
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS?
This is impossible to answer factually. Programs typically continue working on older systems for a very long time. They only stop working when they begin to rely on newer system APIs that aren't present in older versions. This is relatively rare. A browser should be able to run on an outdated operating system for many years, albeit not very securely. Most likely, as it begins to rely on newer and newer APIs, features in the browser will just start breaking one by one (especially security-related features) until it eventually does not start up at all. This does not give you an excuse to use an outdated OS though...
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
Do not use an outdated OS, even with a modern browser.
Assuming that after that day I still use an updated browser, is it true that I'm still safe?
No, you cannot avoid browser-based security holes only by updating the browser. There are a few reasons for this. Primarily, the browser is not entirely self-contained. It makes use of operating system libraries, for example the system memory allocator. This allocator is designed to mitigate various memory corruption-related security issues. If the allocator is not kept up to date, memory exploitation bugs may be easier to perform against the browser, no matter how up to date the browser is.
Another reason is that browser security often relies on OS sandboxing features. A powerful browser exploit must be combined with a so-called sandbox escape. How easy that escape is depends on how secure the operating system is as well as how secure the browser is. By using an outdated operating system, your browser is being protected by out of date and potentially vulnerable security features.
Can it "patch" the OS-based security holes?
No. Patching operating system vulnerabilities requires elevated privileges, which a browser does not have. Even if it did, browsers are not designed to modify system settings or system files. There is no extension or web page you can go to that is able to patch security vulnerabilities in your OS.
Minor question: typically, how long would the browsers stop supporting abandoned OS?
This is impossible to answer factually. Programs typically continue working on older systems for a very long time. They only stop working when they begin to rely on newer system APIs that aren't present in older versions. This is relatively rare. A browser should be able to run on an outdated operating system for many years, albeit not very securely. Most likely, as it begins to rely on newer and newer APIs, features in the browser will just start breaking one by one (especially security-related features) until it eventually does not start up at all. This does not give you an excuse to use an outdated OS though...
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
answered 4 hours ago
forestforest
39.8k18128144
39.8k18128144
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
Why not just install Windows 10? It's a pain, but you can disable the privacy-violating "telemetry" features and change the desktop to look more like that of 7. Windows 10 has significantly superior security anyways.
– forest
3 hours ago
thanks. My machine is quite old. I stick to Windows 7 just for the low requirements on hardware
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Perhaps you should consider switching to a popular Linux distribution like Ubuntu then. It's secure, privacy-friendly, and works very well on a wide-variety of hardware (even old hardware).
– forest
2 hours ago
unfortunately, I need Windows programs (AutoHotKey, ShareX, ManicTime). Libre Office can replace MS Office, but it's buggy for large files
– Ooker
2 hours ago
Wine works for many programs, and there are good (sometimes superior) alternatives to many Windows-native programs that are incompatible with Wine. I suppose you'll have to decide whether or not it's important enough for you to buy a new computer (and continue to do so every few years).
– forest
1 hour ago