Though Microsoft has halted its support for Windows XP in 2014, in view of the latest ransomware attack WannaCry, Microsoft has released a security patch. This patch provides additional security against the ransomware-like cyber attacks. This patch is available to all the versions of Windows XP. With respect to all the recent cyber attacks, Microsoft has reviewed all the vulnerabilities and patched them with this security update. In the same concern, Google is also taking security measures. It has hiked its bounty recently.
In the last month, the WannaCry ransomware has affected more than 150 countries and encrypted confidential data in more than 200,000 computers. If similar attack occurs again, the damage is expected to be very curcial both in terms of data and economy. Hence, Microsoft seems to be alerting and updating its users proactively.
Elevated risk of cyber-attacks by government organisations, sometimes referred to as nation-state actors or other copycat organisations - Adrienne Hall, General Manager, Cyber Defence Operations Center, said in her blog post on Tuesday.Microsoft states that these patches are only for the versions of Windows XP. On the other hand, if you are using Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, you are already safe, as all the security measures were in-built for these OS versions. Also, Microsoft has suggested its users to be aware of the links they are clicking and pages they are navigating.
In the last month, the WannaCry ransomware has affected more than 150 countries and encrypted confidential data in more than 200,000 computers. If similar attack occurs again, the damage is expected to be very curcial both in terms of data and economy. Hence, Microsoft seems to be alerting and updating its users proactively.
Due to the elevated risk for destructive cyber-attacks at this time, we made the decision to take this action because applying these updates provides further protection against potential attacks with characteristics similar to WannaCrypt - Hall said.
