Windows 7 and XP are vulnerable to a major security exploit – so patch now
As well as other Microsoft operating systems
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Microsofthas put out awarningto those still using its Windows XP, Windows 7 or other early operating systems (OS), urging them to update their PCs with the latest security patch in order to prevent against a serious threat.
The computing giant has discovered a vulnerability in these earlier versions of its OS that’s similar in nature to thedevastating WannaCry ransomwarethat swept the globe in May, 2017 andcontinues to affect thousands of users.
The vulnerability is ‘wormable’, according to Microsoft, which means that no user interaction is required for their system to be exploited, and affected systems are capable of propagating the virus to other at-risk computers and networks around the world.
How to patch
Microsoft has claimed that it has, as yet, “observed no exploitation of this vulnerability, [but] it is highly likely that malicious actors will write an exploit for this vulnerability and incorporate it into their malware”.
As such, the software heavyweight is urging that “affected systems are patched as quickly as possible to prevent such a scenario from happening”.
There are download links to the appropriate updates found at the foot ofthis pagefor those still using any of the followingoperating systems:Windows 7,Windows 2008 R2,Windows 2008,Windows 2003orWindows XP.
Users runningWindows 8andWindows 10aren’t at risk of this particular exploit, although it’s always wise to keep up to date with the latest security patches regardless.
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