First off Acadia, thanks for the link. I also found it interesting.
The following is just to, hopefully, clarify what is actually going on with IE11 updates and to give a possibility as to why the inaccuracy in the article may had occurred...
Since Silverlight was mentioned I figure that it will keep getting security as long as Netflix and other major sites keeps using. At least it should keep getting updates until the end of life of Windows 8.1 if not the end of life for Windows 10.
As to IE11 and security updates here is a quote that I found:
"On Windows 7, 8.1, and 10, only Internet Explorer 11 will receive security updates for the remainder of those Windows versions' support lifecycles."
To me the question would be what is considered the lifecycle of Windows 10 under the current system.
Under the current situation where it is stated that Windows 10 will be valid for the life of the system the question can be raised as to what that means. Windows 10 actually does show an end of life date of October 14, 2025.
So how does this affect IE11? OK... currently we can look for 'major' upgrades to Windows 10 twice a year. Say that the upgrade for Windows 10 scheduled for this fall removes IE11. This would remove the factor that IE11 must receive updates as long as Windows 10 is active as IE11 would no longer be a part of Windows 10.
Currently Microsoft's end of life chart does not show a date for IE11 having an end of life date. Since there is no end of life date this implies that it is still current and they would still supply updates. This does not mean that updates would include any further functionality; only that security updates must be continued.
The following quote from Microsoft MAY explain the IE11 update flaw in the article. Note that this quote states "older versions of IE.". It does not name IE11. This would tend to apply to IE10 and earlier.
Microsoft wrote:
It means you should take action. After January 12, 2016, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for older versions of Internet Explorer. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware, helping to keep users and their data safer. Regular security updates help protect computers from malicious attacks, so upgrading and staying current is important.