WanaCry and Microsoft EOL what versions are affected?
WanaCryptor Virus
WanaCry appeared this past weekend 5/12/2017. In early news reports Microsoft reports that the virus used an exploit found in XP. They even put out a message shaming companies for using old versions of the software. Yet If you look on Microsoft’s website for End Of Life you will see that extended life exists for more than a few versions of Windows.
Versions of Windows that may be affected
End of support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. This is the time to make sure you have the latest available update or service pack installed. Without Microsoft support, you will no longer receive security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your personal information. For more information go to Microsoft Support Lifecycle. Client operating systems Latest…
Client operating systems Latest update or service pack End of mainstream support End of extended support Windows Vista Service Pack 2 April 10, 2012 April 11, 2017 Windows 7 * Service Pack 1 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 January 9, 2018 January 10, 2023 Windows 10 ** Version 1703 October 13, 2020 October 14, 2025
What systems are affected
Again based on the news we were led to understand that it was older versions and they news identified that it was XP. However based on readinsg at the Bleeping Computer and several other sites it may affect other Operating Systems including Windows 7 & 8. Read the article from Catalin Cimpanu at the Bleeping Computer site
… UPDATE [May 13, 2017, 09:15 AM ET]: The Wana Decrypt0r attacks have been so vicious, that it convinced Microsoft to issue updates for operating systems it stopped supporting years before, such as Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 8….
Source: “Wana Decrypt0r Ransomware Using NSA Exploit Leaked by Shadow Brokers Is on a Rampage“
Security information presented by the techs at www.end2endsupport.com and E2 Computers in Tarpon Springs, FL.
