What Is Bluekeep and Why Should You Care? Complete Security Software
A vulnerability in Windows can cause a global cyber epidemic, as it did in 2017 with the ransomware WannaCry.
From time to time, messages about new cyber threats flare-up in the society, and news headlines are full of their catchy names - WannaCry, Bad Rabbit or RobbinHood (we must admit that the hackers who come up with all these names have a very wild imagination). Recently, a new threat appeared on the horizon that affected the number of users - BlueKeep.
Below we will explain what it is, why it is important, and what threats this vulnerability poses.
What is BlueKeep?
BlueKeep is a software vulnerability that affects previous versions of Windows. It is very dangerous because it attacks the Remote Desktop Protocol, which allows you to connect to another computer using a network connection. This allows the malware to spread instantly. BlueKeep was first spotted in May by UK National Cybersecurity Center staff. Since mid-May, Microsoft has begun explicitly alerting approximately one million users to install an appropriate security update.
What is the Danger?
Microsoft said that the BlueKeep vulnerability could trigger a cyber-epidemic of network worms, which will "... spread around the world from one vulnerable computer to another, as it did in 2017 with the ransomware WannaCry." In other words, once a virus has entered the network, it can spread without human intervention. In this regard, Microsoft said: "We are taking an unusual step: we are providing a security update so that all customers can protect their Windows platforms."
A powerful warning sounded when the American Cybersecurity Agency confirmed these warnings. The Agency's specialists successfully used an exploit for the BlueKeep vulnerability, which allows remote code execution on a device. This state of affairs, in their opinion, could lead to an epidemic on the scale of WannaCry.
Will This Virus Affect You?
It is quite possible if you are using outdated Windows versions. Microsoft has stated that the following operating systems (which are still supported) are at risk: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008. Among the unsupported operating systems, Windows 2003 and Windows XP are vulnerable. Windows 8 and Windows 10 users are out of danger.
What to Do About It?
To fix the vulnerability, you must download and install a hotfix or an updated version of the software. For required download links for supported versions of Windows, see the Microsoft Security Update Guide. Clients running a supported version of Windows with automatic updates enabled are already protected.
If you have an unsupported version, the best way to fix the vulnerability is to update or purchase the latest version of Windows. Microsoft has released updates for its operating systems, including even the unsupported Windows Vista and Windows XP.
Why Doesn't Everyone Just Install the Fix Pack?
Good question. We recently released a report explaining that the average user gets used to constant security alerts that are based on a sense of fear. Although it is precisely this perception that causes the spread of such serious global cyber threats as WannaCry, as a result of which the work of a number of large companies and government institutions was stopped in 2017.
Keeping your software up to date and enabling automatic Windows complete security software updates is one of the basic methods of protecting against cyber threats.

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