by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 05/12/2017 at 18:48
by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 05/12/2017 at 18:48
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I have three PCs that my boys use for gaming (I use a Mac myself), and they are running Microsoft Security Essentials set for automatic weekly updates. In light of the ongoing ransomware attack that is affecting the globe, can I assume that my PCs are protected and have received whatever security patch MS put out earlier this month?
"Nibby" (nibby68)
05/12/2017 at 18:55, STARS: 0
you can just run windows updates and check, it’ll say no updates are available if it has updated
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
05/12/2017 at 18:58, STARS: 0
I ran updates on all three and it said everything is up to date. So I’m good?
"Nibby" (nibby68)
05/12/2017 at 19:04, STARS: 0
yeah!
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
05/12/2017 at 19:04, STARS: 0
In that case, you should be good for this vulnerability - even for Vista (but if they’re on Vista or older, migrate them to a newer version ASAP, as Vista’s been out of support for a month now).
Here’s a document on how this particular one works, for what it’s worth:
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
05/12/2017 at 19:06, STARS: 0
Thanks. These machines are all running Win7.
"itschrome" (itschrome)
05/12/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 0
Your mac is probably more of at risk than the windows machine.. serioiusly your not safe from this with a mac. The goal should be educating your slef and your boys on proper computer usage. Dont click links your not sure of, esp in emails.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
05/12/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 0
Cool. Thanks. If it’s that easy—running automatic updates—why isn’t everybody protected? I mean, I understand that not all do that, but why wouldn’t you?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
05/12/2017 at 19:10, STARS: 1
I open NOTHING I receive unless I know the sender. And even then, I’ll email the alleged sender and ask if they really sent it. The boys don’t do email, but they might click on a bad website from time to time. I’ve had to get rid of idiotic toolbars they’ve installed.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
05/12/2017 at 19:11, STARS: 1
The big risk is clicking on an email attachment. If they’re not doing email on the machines, then the risk is greatly lessened.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
05/12/2017 at 19:12, STARS: 1
If they were on Vista, I would have reported them to the moderators.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
05/12/2017 at 19:15, STARS: 1
Sometimes, the updates interfere with software in unanticipated ways. Sometimes, automatic updates are turned off, for whatever reason. It’sChrome’s comment about Macs is spot on, but your practices make you safe. Not the case for some Oppos’ parents. They would probably still fall for an email from a Nigerian.
"Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition" (realasabass)
05/12/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 1
Some companies do not do updates immediately because they sometimes break other software they are using. Companies like Fedex have thousands of PC’s to update and that can take time in a corporate environment.
"jimz" (jimz)
05/12/2017 at 19:49, STARS: 1
for the most part, but the best hedge against ransomware is backups. plenty of ransomware doesn’t rely on security flaws.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
05/12/2017 at 19:55, STARS: 0
Fortunately, these computers don’t have anything particularly important on them.
"coqui70" (coqui70)
05/12/2017 at 22:13, STARS: 1
Use McAfee or other additional protection software as well. I would tighten up the web protection and firewall settings.