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.
- Download English language security updates: 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, Windows 8 x64
- To download localized versions for the security update for Windows XP, Windows 8 or Windows Server: http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4012598
- For supported Windows versions like Windows 7 Sp1, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, go to this page and click on the KB number against your Windows version. Though Microsoft may have already pushed this update but if it is not installed you can either get via “Windows Update” or install it manually by going to the Microsoft Update Catalog.
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.
