Windows 10: Microsoft patches Windows XP to fight 'WannaCrypt' attacks

Article here: Microsoft patches Windows XP to fight 'WannaCrypt' attacks


Microsoft Customer Guidance - Customer Guidance for WannaCrypt attacks MSRC

:)

 

Wanna Cry Ransomware

Excerpt from the section titled "Attack vector" in the Microsoft - Windows IT Center article

WannaCrypt ransomware worm targets out-of-date systems.

"The exploit code used by WannaCrypt was designed to work only against unpatched Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 (or earlier OS) systems,
so Windows 10 PCs are not affected by this attack."

Any currently patched, supported Windows operating system has never been at risk from the original version of this ransomware.

Rob

 

Ransomware attack on Windows 10 PCs.... question

Hi all,

To add, due to the recent large scale WannsCry ransomware attack that is using the leaked NSA hack tool that Microsoft patched back in March for the OS's still being supported they have now taken the rare move of releasing a patch (update) for the legacy
versions of Windows as well including Windows XP on up. If you have, or know anyone that does have a machine still using a legacy Windows OS take this opportunity to download and install the update to protect from future attacks that may also use this method
of exploitation. How long these downloads will remain available, I do not know.

Customer Guidance for WannaCrypt attacks

Well, even though I rarely go online with it I'm going to now go fire-up my old XP box and update it.

Cheers,

-Richard

 

I thought this to be a good will gesture by MS. *Smile

 

It is good but, I was hoping this scare would get some people to get off the old systems finally.

 

It may well do, as there will be a lot of folks left with PC's that need reloading due to this hack and they may just go and get a new one or update the OS.

 

It's not so much a goodwill gesture, but an essential measure to stop the spread of this exploit. By comparison, you can't just kill off malaria in South and Central America and Africa - the rest of the tropics need to be rid of it too.

 

good will has NOTHING to do with it. microsoft still makes a fortune off all the hospitals and companies even though they're still running xp, so of course it's in their best interest to do something.

 

Oh? How so?

 

Absolutely, Hippsie. That's one of the best things Microsoft could have done for those who can't afford to move up from Windows XP.

 

There are some who just don't have the wherewithall to upgrade from their older systems, Porthos. Just a fact of life.

 

it wasn't a good will gesture it was all about the money for microsoft as i explained above.

 

The attack has been aborted the kill switch has been set see 'Accidental Hero' Finds Kill Switch To Stop Wana Decrypt0r Ransomware - Slashdot

 

Yes, I saw that earlier, and it's a good thing.

I think this is a wake up call for all of us, and we should look to our house cleaning chores post haste!

There's a thread about what we all need to do to stay safe here:

Privacy and Security – How do I Protect Myself ? - Windows 10 Forums

 

Chances are the WannaCrypt exploit used a code defect that is common in XP, Vista, W7, the W8 Series and W10.

That said, it's nice that MS has decided to help its users, instead of constantly punishing/tormenting them. *Party

XP was the last Windows OS that allowed users to have actual control over their own systems.

There are still thousands(?) of people (maybe more) who consider the operating systems that followed XP to be defective (yes even W7).
For example, XP was the last version of Windows to have a proper "Read-only" attribute.
*Doh

Anecdotally, I didn't have any issues with XP after I stopped using IE 6.

There have been articles explaining that MS will support XP, if you pay them "big money".
http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/26/tech...navy-contract/
http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/governm...04-girdcd.html