Yes, updates for Windows XP too: Microsoft has just released an urgent update for almost all versions of Windows to prevent ongoing attacks with the WannaCry ransomware (identified by Microsoft as Ransom: Win32/WannaCrypt).
So even Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users can download the security update from the Microsoft Update Catalog, even though the company has stopped supporting these versions.
Microsoft recommends that everyone update their systems as soon as possible, given the increasing number of attacks.
WannaCry infections first appeared in Europe yesterday, targeting organizations in several countries. The British National Health Service was hit hard by the ransomware, which began spreading to the United States late Friday.
The infection is based on a Windows vulnerability originally discovered by the NSA and leaked earlier this year by the Shadow Brokers. Microsoft explained that versions of Windows that are still supported (Windows 7, 8.1 and 10) are safe with the latest updates installed.
On the other hand, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 8 are no longer supported and did not receive the latest updates, so Microsoft decided to release this emergency update given the scale of the attack.
"We are also aware that some of our customers are running versions of Windows that are no longer receiving mainstream support. This means that these customers will not have received the aforementioned security update released in March. Given the potential impact to customers and their businesses, we have decided to release the security update for platforms with custom support, Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003," Microsoft said.
“This decision was based on an assessment of the situation, keeping in mind the principle of protecting the maw customer ecosystem as a whole.”.
The company continues to state that some attacks use phishing tactics with malicious attachments, so users should avoid opening these files, especially if they come from untrusted or unknown sources.
Emergency updates for unsupported versions of Windows are available at the following links:
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, and Windows 8 x64.
