Users running older versions of Windows are at risk of a highly spreadable ransomware attack that experts fear could be as troubling as the 2017 WannaCry cyber attack.
Microsoft alerted users to the ‘BlueKeep’ vulnerability earlier this year, but have warned more than a million computers are still vulnerable, with the tech giant stating all operating systems other than the latest Windows 10 or Windows 8 are at risk of being targeted by this cyber attack.
A ransomware attack is where the data on a victim’s computer is locked, typically by encryption, and payment is demanded before the ransomed data is decrypted and access is returned to the victim, and Microsoft says the ‘BlueKeep’ vulnerability is able to ‘worm’ its way into computer systems with no owner interaction at all.
Windows 7, Vista, Windows Server 2008 and all out-of-support operating systems are affected, meaning it is extremely important to consider upgrading your hardware at the earliest opportunity.
Further to this, Windows 7 will very soon reach the end of its lifecycle, with Microsoft ending support for the operating system on 14th January 2020. To find out more about the end of Windows 7 and how Farmplan can help you with the latest IT equipment, click here.