WannaCrypt

Microsoft has issued a statement whereby it has decided to push a critical update against the rapidly spreading “WannaCrypt” ransomware, for Windows operating system which were no longer eligible to receive security and other critical updates, cut down from the mainstream support by Microsoft.

We have already posted a blog that spells out the steps every individual and business should take to stay protected. If you are using a Windows 10 PC, you are just fine or protected as long as you have the latest Windows Defender definitions installed on the machine.

However, machines running on Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003  could become a target and given the sensitivity of the event, Microsoft has decided to make the Security Update for platforms in custom support only, Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003, broadly available for download.

If you are heavy email user, you should be very careful opening attachments as most of the observed attacks use common phishing tactics. You should never try to open documents received from untrusted or unknown sources.

For Office 365 customers, Microsoft is closely and continually monitoring to protect against these kinds of threats including Ransom:Win32/WannaCrypt.