WannaCry virus

Subject: WannaCry virus Mon May 22, 2017 11:19 pm

Now that the WannaCry virus has been around a while, Kaspersky has had time to study what happened and have published a graph showing how different operating systems were affected by the worm. Interestingly XP, which got much of the blame during the attack (unsupported and unpatched), doesn't get a mention. According to Kaspersky's graph, Windows 7 64-bit was the most affected operating system.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-98-percent-of-all-wannacry-victims-were-using-windows-7/

Since it has been said that a patched OS isn't vulnerable to the WannaCry exploit, it leads to thinking that updates were not done to these Windows 7 64-bit operating systems. Windows 7 updates are voluntary of course and the download/installation needs to be initiated by the user. Perhaps this hasn't been done either because of a conscious decision not to do updates, or because of a lack of interest in computer maintenance.

Also interesting is that Windows 10 64-bit has a showing in the graph. No explanation has been given as to why. Perhaps it's because some Windows 10 users object to automatic updates and have made the effort to disable them. The necessary patch therefore wouldn't have been applied.

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Tue May 23, 2017 1:00 am

all sounds a bit 'patchy' to me?

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Tue May 23, 2017 8:06 pm

..or maybe even 'un-patchy'. :)

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Wed May 24, 2017 5:18 am

There are a lot of people too arrogant (or ignorant) to install updates.

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Wed May 24, 2017 10:02 am

I don't install updates ........ teacup

don't know whether that makes me A OR I ...or just a plain AI (Artificial intelligence)

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Wed May 24, 2017 10:04 am

Mart ... Norton are acting all industrious and beaverish about WannaCry too.

Since that global hack a week or so back they keep popping up massive boxes informing me how good Norton is at catching and dealing with these things ... and my subscription isn't even due yet.

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Wed May 24, 2017 12:51 pm

Norton are rubbish.

Guest

Wouldn't put Norton anywhere near my laptop, it's a resource hog.

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Wed May 24, 2017 2:54 pm

Gandalph wrote:: Wouldn't put Norton anywhere near my laptop, it's a resource hog.

You are correct there and McAfee is not much better.

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Wed May 24, 2017 3:31 pm

Norton was a resource hog before 2009. I used it for a few years after that date that and found it quite light on system resources. It has been a while since I used it though. It might have changed again for all I know.

I think all AV companies are keen to point out that their product is the best for protecting against WannaCry. I had an email from BitDefender claiming the same. The worm has probably helped boost the sales of AV programs.

I'm not using any AV program at present, not even Windows Defender. I'm relying on a program called 'HitmanPro.Alert' to keep the computer safe. That and keeping the OS updated. HitmanPro.Alert is an anti-exploit program rather than an AV program. On-demand scans are still done with a few detection programs but they never find anything other than a few tracking cookies.

Subject: Re: WannaCry virus Wed May 24, 2017 3:50 pm

i really think that these security companies are little better than "Snake Oil Salesmen" to honest.

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