In another rare move, Microsoft issues patches for their out of band operating system Windows XP and Server 2003. The patches were also made for several versions of their operating systems. There was also an alert issued to users in order to make sure their systems are covered. The alerts addressed the risk of "potential nation-state activity," and broadcasted that the patches provides “Protection against potential attacks with characteristics which are similar to WannaCrypt." The alert simply warns users not to run unsupported Microsoft Windows system platforms because they would be susceptible to exploited vulnerabilities as destructive cyberattacks in the near future. The vulnerability exist in the use of Microsoft’s SMB protocol system. The new updates can be found in the Microsoft Download Center or, alternatively, in the Update Catalog. Microsoft further stated that the patch Tuesday had fixed three separate vulnerabilities which were also related to other Shadow Broker exploits. Sue Gonzalez Director of Cyber Programs from Redport Information Assurance, LLC, and an advanced cybersecurity technology firm in The Washington, D.C. Metro area strongly supports this preemptive move by Microsoft in order to keep users safe from such future destructive cyber-attacks.

By Dr. Randall Sylvertooth

Reference: https://www-zdnet-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/microsoft-warns-of-destructive-cyberattacks-issues-new-windows-xp-patches/


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Gaithersburg, MD, USA