End of Life Software: Examples, Challenges, and Strategies

A Quick Overview: As much as organizations would love to keep using their software systems forever, unfortunately, they have a limit. While not everything has an expiration date, the same doesn't apply to programs and applications installed in workstations. The end may arrive sooner than expected, and it's crucial for you to be ready for it. In this blog, we shed light on the risks associated with end-of-life software and provide an action plan to ensure seamless modernization.

Back then, it was common for major technologies like Windows to release a new version every five to six years. Updating your software was not always necessary unless you needed new features or support.

However, with the widespread adoption of the Internet, software updates are more crucial than ever before. This increased connectivity in our daily lives exposes us to significant risks such as viruses, malware, scammers, and hackers.

According to a report on the NHS cyberattack incident, officials cited that one of the main reasons for the attack was a failure to upgrade the outdated software

So, when Microsoft releases Windows updates, they are not only aiming to change things around but also working diligently behind the scenes to ensure your computer system is as secure as possible.

However, it is impractical for a custom software development company to upgrade its products indefinitely.

Hence, after a predetermined period of time, support for a particular program will discontinue as it reaches its “end of life” status, Consequently, those end-of-life software products will not receive any more updates or bugfixes,

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When we inform our clients that their current software has reached its end of life or is out of support and that an upgrade is necessary, the two main questions they ask are: ”What is EOL?”, "Why does support end?", and "Why should I upgrade if it doesn't offer anything I think I need?"

In this article, we will address these questions by discovering the impact of end of life software and why it demands your immediate attention.

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What is End of Life (EOL) Software?

In layman’s terms, end of life software offers no support, no fixes, no new versions, and no patches if anything goes wrong. Whether it’s a browser or an operating system, vendors will eventually stop supporting or updating some software.

This means that if you find yourself using software that has reached its end, you need to act fast and stop using it altogether.

The reason for this is the security loopholes of legacy software systems. Hackers often target unsupported software to deliver malware through web browsers. Security updates, patches, and new versions help you protect against these threats, but when software reaches its end of life, it leaves you vulnerable.

Here's what software end of life means, any one of these or even all:

• Bug fixes, technical support, and workarounds will stop.
• Major feature releases will only be available for a specific period after the EoL date.
• Vendors will not accept any requests for new features.
• Online support documentation, wikis, or forums might get archived or be accessible offline on the EoL date or a specified date.
• Official training for the software might be unavailable.
• Software installations may no longer work correctly.

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Top 5 Examples of End of Life Software

In this section, we’re going to explore five notable examples of end-of-life software that were once the center of fame in the technology industry. From operating systems to communication tools, these software end of life products remind us of the dynamic nature of our digital ecosystem.

1. Adobe Flash - Adobe Flash was officially end-of-life in 2020, which means that Adobe will release no new security updates or patches.

2. Windows XP - Microsoft ended support for it in 2014. If you're still running Windows XP, you're putting your computer at risk of cyberattacks.

3. Microsoft Office 2007 - With the introduction of newer versions, Microsoft declared it as EOL software in 2017.

4. Java Runtime Environment (JRE) - The Java Runtime Environment doesn’t receive any more support from Oracle. Thus, Java apps built for Java 7 will no longer run on newer versions of the JRE.

5. Google Chrome 49 - Google Chrome 49 is an end of life software system as declared by the tech giant in 2016.

What are the Risks of Using End of Life Software?

Perhaps you're planning to save some bucks or cut costs by running EOL software well past its prime. While this approach may seem to fill the gap, it comes with significant risks that you should not take lightly:

1. Major Security Threats

Compromised security is the biggest concern of EOL products. When software reaches that stage, updates, bug fixes, and security upgrades aren’t available anymore, leaving your system exposed and compromised.

Even if you find a vulnerability, vendors will no longer provide patches to address it or modernize the legacy application. This not only puts outdated software at risk but also jeopardizes the entire network.

2. Regularity and Legal Risks

Data loss, including corporate and personal data, can have severe repercussions for a business. The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) implemented in 2018 impose substantial fines for data breaches, which could seriously harm even the largest enterprises.

So, if you keep using EOL knowingly, it’ll increase the risk of facing hefty penalties for compromised data. To protect your data and mitigate these risks, it is crucial to use the most up-to-date software available.

3. Compatibility Issues

Another major drawback of end of life technology is the incompatibility with new applications and operating systems. Since every new software and app supports the most recent OS versions, EOL systems like Windows XP can’t work with the latest apps unless you upgrade them to newer software versions.

This can disconnect networks and leave a critical strain on the CPU and system memory. And if it continues, software performance will degrade, with issues like glitches, slow loading time, and timeouts.

Some other reasons for compatibility issues include dependency on legacy components, obsolete software architecture patterns, etc.

4. Poor Performance

Legacy apps tend to perform poorly and be less reliable. Upgrading to newer software can save time and improve efficiency.

So, running software EOL and old versions of Windows might mean that your servers are dying, and workstations are hanging around. Needless to say, these out-of-warranty systems are more prone to breakdowns and downtime, the cost of which could way exceed the long-delayed upgrade.

5. Growing Costs

While sticking with outdated software might seem like a short-term cost-saving measure, the potential consequences of system failures and security breaches can far outweigh any initial savings.

Hence, investing in up-to-date software and embracing Software as a Service (SaaS) products like Salesforce or Mailchimp can prove to be more cost-effective in the long run.

6. Employee Demotivation

Aside from technical concerns, there are also staff-related issues to consider. Your employees expect their workplace to be set up with the latest technologies and devices.

That's why an organization stuck in the past might lead to dissatisfaction among stakeholders, especially in an era where Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies are gaining traction.

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Tips to Manage EOL Software

Now that you’re well aware of the potential risks associated with end-of-life support software, how should you deal with such systems? While there are no hard-and-fast rules, the following strategies can help you navigate this challenge successfully:

1. Implement cybersecurity measures

It's crucial to take proactive measures and identify potential flaws in your organization's IT policies to mitigate the risks of end of life systems by their roots.

Start by strengthening your cybersecurity practices, storing data using encryption, and assessing your existing policies to ensure they cover software disposal strategies

Complying with protocols like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard or National Defense Authorization Act is also essential.

2. Isolate the EOL Software

Safeguard your systems from security threats and other vulnerabilities by isolating the software end of life database.

Here are two ways to achieve isolation, ensuring system stability and security:

• Configure firewalls to block all traffic to and from the network segment of the particular software.
• Establish virtual local area networks (VLANs) or create separate physical network segments to isolate the EOL system from the main network.

3. Keep a close eye on EOL timelines

Monitor the EOL status of your software since many organizations catch it off guard when support and security updates abruptly stop. This leads to hasty and costly decisions.

Hence, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your software's functionalities, operations, and dependencies. Prepare a plan to sustain it after support ends by answering the following questions:

• Is the software still relevant in the present market?
• Does it generate enough revenue to cover maintenance costs?
• Do you have better alternatives available?

4. Prevent increasing technical debt

Although old software may work well, using it beyond its supported software development life cycle can lead to system failures, increased maintenance costs, and most importantly, significant technical debt.

In order to avoid this, follow these strategies:

• Enhance codebase quality by breaking it down into smaller components.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation to track real-time changes.
• Identify critical areas of the codebase with higher maintenance costs.
• Leverage low-code development services to create complex software.

5. Conduct compatibility testing

Performing compatibility tests ensures that your software functions smoothly across various platforms. As a result, you can reduce the chances of failures and application releases with critical bugs.

The steps are as follows:

• Familiarize yourself with the software's expected behavior under different configurations.
• Define the platforms or environments on which the software should operate.
• Create a suitable testing environment using diverse networks, devices, and platforms to assess compatibility.

6. Explore alternative support options

Consider strategies such as finding alternative options or migrating to a supported version of the software that aligns with your requirements. If migration is not feasible, sandboxing or virtualization can help you create an isolated environment and run apps with limited resources.

Another viable option is adopting open-source platforms. Because they offer similar features to commercial alternatives, you can get the added advantages of timely updates and support from the developer community.

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Upgrade Your EOL Software with RadixwebEmbracing changes can be challenging, but the sooner you adapt to them, the smoother your journey will be. That's why we strongly advise staying up-to-date with software upgrades as they become available, or at least within a few months.However, there are limitations to what technology can achieve, and eventually, we need to move forward.And to take the next step, you can always rely on Radixweb!Our experts are proficient in modernizing legacy software and delivering high-end software solutions to startups, SMEs, and agile enterprises across the globe. If you are using outdated software or uncertain about your system, we will assess your current setup and create a resilient software ecosystem in your organization.Drop us a line and we’ll take care of the rest!