Last updated: April 12, 2021
On this page you will find:
- Tufts Security Standard for Devices & Software which goes into effect July 7, 2021 to improve our security landscape and assist in avoiding serious malicious attacks.
- Instructions on how to check and update your computer operating systems.
- Links to the minimum recommendations for computer devices and security protocols.
- Tables highlighting the lifecycle and end of support for various Apple (Macintosh) and Microsoft (Windows) computer operating systems.
Tufts Security Standard for Devices and Software
In order to maintain a safe and secure environment for the Tufts community and its data, devices and software (including vendor and open source) that no longer are able to receive security updates may not access Tufts systems and services containing confidential, sensitive, or restricted data.
NOTE: Schools and departments who have older machines and wish to keep them and continue to use them for specialized services not containing sensitive data, will be able to do so.
Keeping Your Operating Systems Up-to-date
One of the most important things for security and to ensure your tools are working most effectively is to keep them up to date. Use the instructions below to check which operating system you are running and if needed, how to upgrade it.
Apple Macintosh Devices
- Check to see what operating system you are running.
- From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose About This Mac.
- You should see the macOS name, such as macOS Big Sur, followed by its version number.
- Upgrade the operating system on your Mac
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Software Update to check for updates.
- If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. ...
- When Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are also up to date.
Windows
- Check to see what operating system you are running.
- Click the Start or Windows button (usually in the lower-left corner of your computer screen).
- Click Settings.
- Click About (usually in the lower left of the screen). The resulting screen shows the edition of Windows.
- Upgrade the operating system on your Windows PC
- Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button in the lower-left corner.
- In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click either Windows Update or Check for updates.
- Click the Check for updates button and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
Device and Operating Systems Status
Below are tables highlighting schedule for the vendors for Macintosh and Windows operating systems to end support and the ability to receive security updates.
Windows
Microsoft generally supports an operating system for 5 years and releases a new OS twice a year with at least one version updates and patches monthly.
| Operating Systems | Release Date | End of Support Date |
|---|---|---|
| Win10 | 7/2015 | 10/2025 |
| Win 8.1 "Blue" | 2013 | 2018* |
| Win 8 "win8" | 2012 | 2016* |
| Win 7 "win7" | 2009 | 2015* |
| Vista "Longhorn" | 2006 | 2012* |
| Win XP "Whistler" | 2001 | 2009* |
| WinME | 2000 | 2003* |
| Win2000 | 1999 | 2005* |
Windows 10 is the only OS that is supported currently and able to receive security updates.
*This operating systems is no longer supported, cannot receive security updates, and effective July 7 may not access Tufts systems and services containing confidential, sensitive, or restricted data.
Macintosh
Apple generally supports an operating system for only 3 years and releases a new OS once a year with periodic version updates and patches as needed.
| Operating Systems | Name | Release Date | End of Support Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| macOS 11.2.3 | Big Sur | 11/2020 | TBA ~2023 |
| macOS 11.2.0-2 | Big Sur | 11/2020 | TBA ~2023* |
| macOS 10.15 | Catalina | 10/2019 | TBA ~2022* |
| macOS 10/14 | Mojave | 9/2018 | TBA ~2021* |
| macOS 10.13.6 & older |
High Sierra Sierra El Capitan |
9/2017 2016 2015 |
12/2020** 2019** 2018** |
Macintosh Big Sur 11.2.3 is the most current operating system. Big Sur 11.2.0-2 and Catalina are also still supported but on the horizon for upgrading.
*This operating system although still supported and able to receive security patches, should be considered for upgrade.
**This operating systems is no longer supported, cannot receive security updates, and effective July 7 may not access Tufts systems and services containing confidential, sensitive, or restricted data.