What is all about the “WannaCry” Ransomware.

What is WannaCry? Well, some little asshole wrote some code that exploits a hole in SMB within Windows. WannaCry, also known as Wana Decrypt0r, WannaCryptor, or WCRY, like other nasty ransomware variants, blocks access to a computer or its files and demands money to unlock it. Once infected with the WannaCry ransomware, victims are asked to pay up to $300 in order to remove the infection from their PCs, otherwise it is rendered unusable, and their files remain locked.

In general getting this on your computer sucks a sweaty ball sack. But hey, the fun’s not over. This isn’t like other ransomware. This one has a little surprise that comes with it. That hole in SMB allows it to actively hunt a network for other vulnerable computers. So it’s contagious. That means all your friends at the coffee shop can join you in your misery.

So what can you do? Well if you’re already infected, not much. Hope you have good backups, and I hope even more that you don’t pay the fucking ransom. The last thing these people need is more money.

If you’re not infected, well you have some options. First is get the update that fixes the hole. This will make you much less likely to get infected. However, with most of the planet banging on Windows Update right now, it might be a while. However, Microsoft does allow you to install from a stand alone patch.

Microsoft even released a patch for Windows XP SP3. “So what?” you say? Well, it was extremely generous of them to do so. Windows XP is a deprecated operating system. Microsoft was under no obligation whatsoever to release such a patch, but they did anyway.

Anywho…Below are direct links to the patches from Microsoft. Your best bet is to install these if you haven’t already updated.

Windows XP SP3
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windowsxp-kb4012598…

Windows Vista x86
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows6.0…

Windows Vista x64
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows6.0…

Windows 7 x64
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows6.1…

Windows 7 x86
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows6.1…

Windows 8
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows8-rt…

Windows 8.1
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows8.1…

Windows 10
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows10.0…

Windows 2003 x86
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windowsserver2003…

Windows 2003 x64
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windowsserver2003…

Windows 2008
http://download.windowsupdate.com/…/windows6.0…