Fred wrote:

I'm using Windows 7, which though it's officially no longer supported
does receive period security updates.

But that may not be true forever...

To be honest, my present thinking is that I would sacrifice the latest in
security updates if the alternative was having to replace the software I use
day in, day out, which I can operate with no conscious thought.

The only time I've ever been hacked (to my knowledge) - and it was a serious
business involving my bank account details - I was using a version of
Windows 7 which was completely up to date. Since then, Microsoft's
assurances about the very latest refinements being absolutely essential tend
to ring rather hollow.