Urgent Security Warning: Update Your PC Immediately
As a family-owned insurance agency, we believe it is our responsibility to help our clients reduce their risks. We assist with coverage for auto, home, business and offer services to our clients to periodically review their portfolios identifying areas where our clients may be at risk.
We extend that dedication to reducing risk beyond their insurance coverage feeling the need to alert clients and potential customers of risks for which we may not be able to provide coverage in their personal lives, including their online presence. Microsoft is urging all Windows users to immediately install an update after security researchers found a serious vulnerability in the operating system.
PrintNightmare Threat
The vulnerability, known as PrintNightmare, affects the Windows Print Spooler service. Researchers at cybersecurity company Sangfor accidentally published a how-to guide for exploiting it. The researchers tweeted in late May that they had found vulnerabilities in Print Spooler, which allows multiple users to access a printer.
The researchers published a proof-of-concept online by mistake and subsequently deleted it — but not before it was published elsewhere online, including developer site GitHub.
Microsoft warned that hackers could exploit this vulnerability installing programs, viewing, and deleting data or even creating new user accounts with full user rights. This could give hackers enough command and control of your PC to do some serious damage.
Affected Windows Programs
This vulnerability effects Windows 10 and Windows 7, however Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 last year.
Even so, Microsoft issued a patch for Windows 7, a 12-year-old operating system, which emphasizes the severity of the PrintNightmare flaw. Updates for Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, version 1607, and Windows Server 2012 are “expected soon”.
The good news is that the current security update contains fixes for previous security issues as well.
In the last year and a half, Microsoft encountered multiple security alerts. Last year they were alerted by the National Security Agency of issue with the operating system that allowed hackers pose as legitimate software companies. Earlier this year, it was discovered that Exchange (Microsoft’s email and calendar services) had multiple vulnerabilites that allowed hackers to access servers.
It is important to note that Microsoft has not released a patch for Windows 11, its newest operating system, which is currently available only to beta testers.
How To Update
It is strongly recommended computer users allow Windows to automatically download and update Windows. If you are not sure if your computer has adopted the patch, type “update” in the search bar on the bottom left side of the Windows home screen. This will bring up a screen with a message stating: “Check for updates”. Clicking on that message will instruct your computer to show available updates, with the option to download now (recommended) or later.
Given the well-publicized attacks of the last few weeks, we should all reduce our risk by installing this update as soon as possible.
Aspen Insurance Agency is in Denver, CO, and services clients nationwide. We are a family run business working with multiple insurance carriers to offer our customers the coverage they need at the lowest possible cost. We offer a wide range of personal, commercial, and professional insurance to residential and commercial customers enabling the cheapest rates available. Call to speak to one of our insurance professionals and see how painless insurance shopping can be.
