Subscribe Now

travelers today

Home » Travel Intel

Privacy-Compromising NSA Malware Did Not Affect Microsoft Users According To Tech Giant

Travelers Today       By    JC Santos

Updated: Apr 19, 2017 06:50 AM EDT

Text Size: A A A

The tech giant claims that all users of their Windows operating system and who have updated their operating systems are protected from the NSA malware tools discovered online. The malware, discovered by the press, is capable of breaking into computers of Windows users with options even to completely control of the computer.

According to ABC News, "TheShadowBrokers", an online collective of online investigators, said the "toolkit" it dumped made use of "undisclosed vulnerabilities" in Microsoft's code. Companies using Windows could easily be sabotaged internally at will by the controllers of the toolkit.

Organizations using previous versions of Windows including Windows 7 are likely to be struck by the malware. Cybersecurity firm Hacker House representative Matthew Hickey, said many organizations have put their Windows patch updates off, indicating that many more servers and machines could be affected by the malware.

Windows confirms it had launched the update to protect users from the leaked NSA malware. BBC said Microsoft's engineers have already "investigated the disclosed exploits" and "most of the exploits are already patched." However, the company only released the updates the previous month, indicating Microsoft was not alerted to the vulnerabilities in its own code, nor did it tip-off to third parties who discovered the vulnerabilities.

To avoid the issue, all Microsoft users are encouraged to update to the latest versions of Microsoft's security and to upgrade to Windows 10. Else, Microsoft users face the ire of strangely named viruses including ODDJOB, ZIPPYBEER and ESTEEMAUDIT, which according to intercept, will take control of the entire computer.

Most of these viruses could be perceived as battering rams for NSA's Tailored Access Operations group to access certain files or overall information it needs. According to Hickey, cited by The Intercept, he had never seen so many exploits released all at the same time. He said the exploits could now be "at the hands of anyone who cares to download them" and "people would be using these attacks for years to come."

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018

Tags
hacking, technology, computers, computer technology, nsa, exploits, malware
© 2023 Traverlers Today, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join Our Conversation

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive the latest travel news, reviews, and more..

Most Popular

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

Planning for a trip takes some time, even if it's just you g

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

If you have never traveled before but are thinking of doing so then

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

So there are a few islands that can be found off the Sco

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

You need to know how to plan appropriately and

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

A campus visit's significance could not be overstated. After all, fo

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

Having a gallery wall brings plenty of benefits to your

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

There is something equally relaxing and invigorati

Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

Things That Will Help Cost-Conscious Vacationers Save Money

There are several ways you can significan

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

How to Make Vet Visits Affordable in 2022

If the situation is minor, you might be lucky and get away

Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels

Know Your Florida Driving Rules

There is so much to do in the region, but we want to focus on some of

Photo by Ging Ang from Pexels

Holidaying in your own Country: Try these Fun Trips!

Many countries are opening their borders, but if

Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative from Pexels

The Best Tech Tools for Expats

Here’s a quick look at most versatile tech tools for expats on the m

Photo by Tobi from Pexels

How to Turn a Road Trip Into A Luxury Adventure

But a road trip doesn’t have to mean living on the

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Do you want to become a citizen of Australia

Hair transplant Istanbul: Why is it so popular?

Hair Transplant Istanbul: Why is it so Popular?

Getting a hair transplant in Istanbul is affordable i

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

They are incredibly expensive, and they’re also in sh

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

International trade holds great importance in a

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

Riesling is Germany’s best-known wine, but the country makes other fi

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

There is nothing like the great outdoors –– natureâ€

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

Who knew you could pack your entire life away into one litt

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

San Diego is a magnificent place, and it would not be

travelers today

© 2023 TRAVELERS TODAY All rights reserved.

Subscribe to our newsletter
Real Time Analytics