Users of old Windows systems can now download a patch to protect them from this week’s massive ransomware attack.
MS17-010: How to install security update (WannaCry) To install MS17-010 security update, we need to download the corresponding patch from Microsoft update catalog server depending upon the operating system. Microsoft issues WannaCry cyber attack patch. Microsoft issued a patch at the time that could be applied to current versions of Windows, and Mr Misner said that would have protected users. Wanna Cry Ransomware Guidelines to stay safe. Use this link to download update Manual: MS17-010 Update for Windows 8.1. Thankfully Microsoft did create a security update that did patch the back door. Wanna Cry Ransomware Guidelines: Make a recovery disk! The WannaCry ransomware asks for $300 or more if you a modified version if you do.
In a rare step, Microsoft published a patch for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows 8—all of them operating systems for which it no longer provides mainstream support.
Users can download and find more information about the patches in Microsoft’s blog post about Friday’s attack from the WannaCry ransomware.
The ransomware, which has spread globally, has been infecting computers by exploiting a Windows vulnerability involving the Server Message Block protocol, a file-sharing feature.
Computers infected with WannaCry will have their data encrypted, and display a ransom note demanding $300 or $600 in bitcoin to free the files.
Fortunately, Windows 10 customers were not targeted in Friday’s attack. In March, Microsoft patched the vulnerability that the ransomware exploits—but only for newer Windows systems. That’s left older Windows machines, or those users who failed to patch newer machines, vulnerable to Friday’s attack.
Researchers originally believed the ransomware was spread through attachments in email phishing campaigns. That no longer appears to be the case.
Once a vulnerable PC becomes infected, the computer will attempt to spread to other machines over the local network as well as over the internet. The ransomware will specifically scan for unpatched machines that have the Server Message Block vulnerability exposed.
Businesses can prevent this by disabling the Server Message Block protocol in vulnerable PCs. They can also use a firewall to block unrecognized internet traffic from accessing the networking ports the Server Message Block uses.
Fortunately, Friday’s ransomware attack may have been contained. A security researcher who goes by the name MalwareTech has activated a sort of kill-switch in WannaCry that stops it from spreading.
As a result, over 100,000 new infections were prevented, according to U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre. But experts also warn that WannaCry’s developers may be working on other versions that won’t be easy to disable.
“It’s very important everyone understands that all they (the hackers) need to do is change some code and start again. Patch your systems now!” MalwareTech tweeted.
Latest Microsoft Patches
Unfortunately, the kill-switch’s activation will provide no relief to existing victims. The ransomware will persist on systems already infected.
Friday’s ransomware attack appears to have spread mainly in Europe and Asia, with Russia among those nations hardest hit, according to security researchers.
Microsoft Patch Download For Wannacry Windows Xp
Security experts are advising victims to wait before paying the ransom. It’s possible that researchers will develop a free solution that can remove the infection.
Microsoft Patch Download For Wannacrypt
This story was updated at 11:33 AM on May 15 to add and correct misinformation from researchers.