Microsoft patches Windows XP to fight 'WannaCrypt' attacks

Samuria said:

The attack has been aborted the kill switch has been set see 'Accidental Hero' Finds Kill Switch To Stop Wana Decrypt0r Ransomware - Slashdot

Yes, I saw that earlier, and it's a good thing.

I think this is a wake up call for all of us, and we should look to our house cleaning chores post haste!

There's a thread about what we all need to do to stay safe here:

Privacy and Security – How do I Protect Myself ? - Windows 10 Forums

HippsieGypsie said:

I thought this to be a good will gesture by MS. :)

Chances are the WannaCrypt exploit used a code defect that is common in XP, Vista, W7, the W8 Series and W10.

That said, it's nice that MS has decided to help its users, instead of constantly punishing/tormenting them.

Porthos said:

It is good but, I was hoping this scare would get some people to get off the old systems finally.

XP was the last Windows OS that allowed users to have actual control over their own systems.

There are still thousands(?) of people (maybe more) who consider the operating systems that followed XP to be defective (yes even W7).
For example, XP was the last version of Windows to have a proper "Read-only" attribute.


Anecdotally, I didn't have any issues with XP after I stopped using IE 6.

HippsieGypsie said:

Oh? How so?

There have been articles explaining that MS will support XP, if you pay them "big money".
http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/26/tech...navy-contract/
http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/governm...04-girdcd.html

Samuria said:

The attack has been aborted the kill switch has been set see 'Accidental Hero' Finds Kill Switch To Stop Wana Decrypt0r Ransomware - Slashdot

And price was right too, a real bargoon at $10.99 stopping billions of $$$ damage.

CountMike said:

And price was right too, a real bargoon at $10.99 stopping billions of $$$ damage.

I hate to be a doomsayer, but this morning, the news told us there could be even worse coming. So, we should all be on the lookout. Don't open any emails you're not expecting!

Wynona said:

I hate to be a doomsayer, but this morning, the news told us there could be even worse coming. So, we should all be on the lookout. Don't open any emails you're not expecting!

If you were a hacker Wyn,.....the whole Worlds security on high alert......risk being caught?

Beware emails that appear as notifications - they are awfully easy to open without thinking about it.!:

dencal said:

If you were a hacker Wyn,.....the whole Worlds security on high alert......risk being caught?

But I'm not a hacker, Dencal. :) Nor would I know the first step to take to be one.

Problem is, there are the ones who live to take those kinds of risks. I mean, look at the terrorists that blow themselves up along with their victims. And yes, those perpetrating the cyber attacks are gutless wonders who paint themselves terrorists.

Believe me, I don't want any more to happen, and I would love to have the TV news proven wrong! Because I'm not the one predicting . . .

Fafhrd said:

Beware emails that appear as notifications - they are awfully easy to open without thinking about it.!:

Yep, agreed! I have developed a habit of looking at the return email addy before opening emails, even from friends, as I've received a few that looked like they came from friends . . .