The following piece from ZDNet concerns the major ransomware attack
which begun yesterday. From what I am reading Windows 10 is not
affected. Also, users of Windows 7 should be protected if they have
installed the updates issued by Microsoft as part of Windows Update,
which usually happens automatically. Here's the article.
zdnet.com
WannaCrypt ransomware: Microsoft issues emergency patch for Windows XP
Danny Palmer
4-5 minutes
wannacry-talos.jpg
WannaCrypt/WannaCry ransomware has affected Windows XP systems across
the globe.
Image: Cisco Talos
Microsoft has taken the unprecedented step of issuing patches for
unsupported operating systems - like Windows XP - in the wake of the
massive WannaCrypt ransomware attacks against organisations across the
globe.
Businesses, governments and individuals in 74 countries across the globe
have been victims of more than 45,000 attacks by this one strain of
Ransomware in the space of just a few hours.
Wannacrypt ransomware demands $300 in Bitcoin for unlocking encrypted
files - a price which doubles after three days. Users are also
threatened with having all their files permanently deleted if the ransom
isn't paid in a week.
Hospitals across the UK have had systems knocked offline by the
ransomware attack, with patient appointments cancelled and doctors and
nurses resorting to pen and paper and NHS England declaring the
cyberattack as a 'major incident' - a total of 45 NHS organisations are
now own to be affected.
Cybersecurity researchers have suggested the ransomware attacks are so
potent because they exploit a a known software flaw dubbed EternalBlue.
This Windows flaw is one of many zero-days which was apparently known
the NSA -- before being leaked by the Shadow Brokers hacking collective.
Microsoft released a patch for the vulnerability earlier this year - but
only for the most recent operating systems.
One thing many of the targets have in common is that they're running old
Windows operating systems like Windows XP, Windows 8 and Windows Server
2003, which now only usually receive patches if the organisation using
them is receiving special custom support.
Also: Ransomware: These four industries are the most frequently attacked
| Windows 10 tip: Keep unwanted software off PCs you support | Will your
business be next? Customizable ransomware makes it easy for criminals to
target organisations | Ransomware: An executive guide to one of the
biggest menaces on the web
However, in order to ensure as many systems as possible are protected
against WannaCrypt ransomware and other attacks, Microsoft has made
security patches for Windows XP and other operating systems broadly
available to download.
"This decision was made based on an assessment of this situation, with
the principle of protecting our customer ecosystem overall, firmly in
mind," the company told customers in a blog post.
Customers can now download security updates for Windows Server 2003 SP2
x64, Windows Server 2003 SP2 x86, Windows XP SP2 x64, Windows XP SP3
x86, Windows XP Embedded SP3 x86, Windows 8 x86, and Windows 8 x64.
Microsoft is continuing to work with customers to provide assistance as
the situation evolves.
In response to the attacks against the UK's National Health Service,
Home Secretary Amber Rudd is set to chair an emergency Cobra
crisis-committee meeting to cordinate a government response to the incident.
Meanwhile,. The National Cyber Security Centre has issued a statement to
say it is "working round the clock with UK and international partners
and with private sector experts to lead the response to these cyber
attacks".
Ciaran Martin, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, said that in
order to protect against this sort of attack, organisations should "make
sure your security software patches are up to date" and "make sure that
you are running proper anti-virus software"
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit my
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