I wonder if by "older versions" they mean Windows XP. When someone says "older" I'm thinking Win2K, NT ...ect. Not XP.
I would suspect that any system not mentioned would be affected. So just keep the anti virus programs up to date. I have largely switched to MAC now but still have my Microsoft XP which has always functioned well for me. However, because my system is close to 6 years old and getting a little cranky, I have a new Mac desktop with my faithful ol’ PC right near by for the one big project I have had going for hears..genealogy with Family Tree Maker which is not Mac compatible...so I guess I am bilingual : )
XP is eight years old. That's "old".
Microsoft considers XP ancient. They've tried to kill it off about half a dozen times already and it keeps bouncing back like an undead zombie. It must drive them crazy.
Disclaimer: I like XP. The above is not in any way a slam on XP. I dislike Vista. I can tolerate Win7.
Anyway, Vista/Win7/Server2008 are a different security setup (compared to XP) in ways that affect this particular issue.
XP has the issue.
This strikes me as a possible attempt to get XP blacklisted by the users, but perhaps I’m paranoid...