We’ve been contacting clients since early last year, to give notice that Microsoft will no longer officially support Windows 10 in late 2025. Windows 10 will be reaching its ‘end of support’ phase on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for Windows 10.

While devices running Windows 10 will still function, they will become increasingly vulnerable to security threats, malware, and cyberattacks. Technical support from Microsoft will no longer be available.

Why Is Microsoft Ending Support For Windows 10?

Microsoft has a lifecycle for its operating systems, ensuring users move to newer and more secure versions. Windows 11 is designed for modern security, improved performance, and better compatibility with the latest hardware.

Why Upgrade to Windows 11?

Microsoft is strongly encouraging users—especially businesses—to transition to Windows 11 to maintain security and performance that end of support for Windows 10 will affect. Some key reasons for upgrading include:

• Enhanced Security: Windows 11 offers advanced security features, including hardware-backed protection and AI-powered security measures.

• Better Performance: Windows 11 is optimised for faster processing, improved battery life, and better multitasking.

• Continued Support: Microsoft will continue providing updates, patches, and technical assistance for Windows 11.

Options for Businesses

Businesses have several choices when preparing for the transition:

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 – If your hardware meets the requirements, upgrading is the best option.

2. Purchase New Hardware – If your current devices don’t support Windows 11, Microsoft recommends investing in new PCs.

3. Extended Security Updates (ESU) – Microsoft offers a paid ESU program for businesses that need more time before upgrading. It only covers critical security updates and not other types of update, and, there is still no technical support.

What Happens If You Don’t Upgrade?

If businesses continue using Windows 10 after October 14th, end off support means they risk cybersecurity vulnerabilities due to lack of security patches; compliance issues for industries requiring up-to-date security standards, and performance problems as outdated software struggles with modern applications.

Microsoft is actively promoting Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs as the best solution for businesses looking to stay secure and efficient. We covered its launch at the beginning of 2024.

If you’re a business in the north-east of England and would like to check how compatible your current devices and systems already are for a move to Windows 11, get in touch today. We can guide you to the best options for your business needs to deal with the upcoming Windows 10 end of support.

Romance scams are a growing threat in the digital age, exploiting emotions and trust to defraud victims. Scammers often pose as attractive individuals, celebrities, or military personnel to build relationships online before requesting money. Common types include catfishing, where fraudsters create fake identities, and investment scams, where victims are tricked into funding fraudulent ventures.

Catfishing

Catfishing involves scammers creating fake online identities to deceive victims into forming emotional connections. They often use stolen photos from social media or stock images. They’ll avoid video calls or in-person meetings, creating convincing reasons that prevent any face-to-face meeting, to maintain their deception.

The catfisher will build trust over time before requesting money for emergencies, such as medical bills, travel costs, etc. Then, they will disappear once they’ve received the financial support.

Investment Scam

These scams exploit victims by convincing them to invest in fraudulent opportunities. Scammers may claim to be financial experts or business owners who promise high returns on cryptocurrency, stocks, or property.  They pressure victims into sending money quickly, only to disappear once funds are transferred.

Inheritance Scam

An inheritance scam is similar to an investment scam. But, instead of asking for money to be put into a golden opportunity, the fraudsters claim the victim is entitled to a large inheritance but must pay fees to access it.

Military Romance Scam

This type of catfish spin-off sees impersonators pose as soldiers deployed overseas, requesting financial help. They’ll claim, because of budget restraints, to be short of certain home comforts or important military equipment that isn’t provided as standard but they can purchase to stay safer. Again, the scammers will disappear once they’ve taken the good-hearted mark for the money.

Signs of a Romance Scam

Here are some warning signs to watch for:

• Fast Emotional Attachment – Scammers often declare love or deep affection very quickly to build trust.

• Avoiding Face-to-Face Meetings – They make excuses to avoid video calls or in-person meetings.

• Unrealistic Stories – They may claim to be celebrities, military personnel, or wealthy professionals.

• Urgent Financial Requests – They ask for money due to medical emergencies, travel issues, or business problems.

• Moving Conversations Off Platforms – They push for communication via private messaging apps to avoid detection.

• Inconsistencies in Their Story – Details about their life may change or contradict previous statements.

• Requests for Personal Information – They ask for bank details, passwords, or sensitive data.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

• Verify Their Identity – Use reverse image searches to check if their profile pictures are stolen.

• Never Send Money – Avoid transferring funds, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you haven’t met.

• Keep Conversations Public – Stay on dating platforms instead of moving to private chats.

• Be Skeptical of Sob Stories – Scammers often fabricate emergencies to pressure victims.

• Trust Your Instincts – If something feels ‘off’, listen to your gut.

• Report Suspicious Activity – Notify dating sites, social media platforms, or authorities if you suspect a scam.

Romance scams are designed to manipulate emotions and deceive victims into sending money or personal information. AI has made it much easier for scammers to create deepfake audio and video to create even more realistic romance scams. Staying cautious online and verifying identities before sending money can help prevent falling victim to this type of cyber fraud.

Marks & Spencer has been dealing with a major cyber incident that began around April 19th. The attack has caused significant disruptions, including:

• Online orders halted – Customers have been unable to place orders via the website or app.

• Contactless payments affected – Some stores struggled to process payments.

• Empty shelves – Supply chain issues have led to stock shortages in certain locations.

Efforts to Fix the Issue

M&S has taken some systems offline to contain the attack and is working with cybersecurity experts, including CrowdStrike and Microsoft, with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Metropolitan Police also investigating.

Why Is Recovery Taking So Long?

Unlike standard outages, cyberattacks involve malware spreading through complex systems, making recovery time-consuming. Experts suggest M&S is conducting thorough security checks to ensure hackers are fully removed.

Who Is Responsible?

The hacking group Scattered Spider has been linked to the attack, reportedly using DragonForce ransomware to encrypt M&S servers. However, the group has, at time of writing, not publicly claimed responsibility.

M&S is working hard to restore operations, but there is no confirmed timeline for when online services will be fully back to normal.

In today’s digital age, our devices are overflowing with emails, files, apps, and media. Just like our homes, our digital spaces can become cluttered, leading to inefficiency, security risks, and unnecessary expenses. Digital data decluttering is the process of organising, deleting, and optimizing your digital assets to improve efficiency, security, and even financial savings.

Why Declutter Your Digital Space?

Clearing digital clutter offers several benefits.

• Improved Performance – Too many files slow down devices, making them sluggish and less responsive.

• Enhanced Security – Old or unused files may contain sensitive data, making them a security risk if compromised.

• Save Money – Many people pay for extra storage they don’t need. By decluttering, you can reduce cloud storage costs and free up hard drive space instead of buying new devices.

• Better Productivity – A clutter-free device makes finding important documents easier, boosting efficiency.

How to Declutter Your Digital Space

1. Clean Up Your Files – Delete old or duplicate files. Organise important documents into folders or cloud storage. Use external storage for files you don’t need regularly.

2. Manage Your Emails – Unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters. Archive or delete old emails instead of hoarding them. Set up filters for automatic sorting.

3. Remove Unused Apps – Delete applications you haven’t used in months. Clear app caches to free up storage.

4. Secure Your Data – Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Back up important files securely instead of keeping duplicates everywhere.

By practicing digital decluttering, you’ll protect your data, streamline operations, and reduce costs, all while improving overall productivity. What area of your digital life needs decluttering the most?