Windows XP

[sandall]

In case anyone hasn't noticed, the patch for EternalBlue (followed by WannaCry) that Microsoft issued after the recent hack (apparently they had been sitting on it for months, just waiting for disaster to strike) is actually available to ALL XP Sp3 users, though the way they have publicised this is reminiscent of the opening scene of "the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"!

 

If you don't file-share it probably doesn't matter, but, if like me, you think it might just be worth it, googling "KB4012598" will get you to the official download site. No ill-effects on 2 laptops so far.... :huh:

[jmdh]

Hi,

 

To be fair, XP is a release that you've had to pay a special support fee for some years (designed for corporations who have large installs of XP systems they don't want to upgrade). Microsoft took the highly unusual step of releasing the fix publicly after it became apparently how widespread the particular impact was, which is commendable, and that support policy changed after people had had 5 years to upgrade to Windows 7 or above.

 

Any machine which is ever connected to the Internet should be running a security-supported OS and software, even if you don't think you do anything risky or have anything valuable on it. The number of possible attack vectors, and the affect one compromised machine can have on others is just too high not to.

 

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2017/05/12/customer-guidance-for-wannacrypt-attacks/ provides some more information about this particular issue.

 

Cheers,

Dominic.

[sandall]

Any machine which is ever connected to the Internet should be running a security-supported OS and software, even if you don't think you do anything risky or have anything valuable on it. The number of possible attack vectors, and the affect one compromised machine can have on others is just too high not to.

Indeed, though I would imagine few if any XP machines used with older software by BR members will be receiving Microsoft support, but they will still need to go online for updates where still available, & to keep their anti-virus up to date. The KB4012598 patch may at least shut one stable-door.

 

My XP laptops aren't networked, so I live in hope that if disaster strikes one it won't cause a chain-reaction.