The number of computers being hit by hackers exploiting the loophole in Microsoft Windows XP’s Help & Support system is rapidly increasing and the total number of PC’s affected is expected to hit over 100,000 by this weekend.
Currently there is no patch that can fix the “hole” found in the Windows XP Help & Support system that is allowing hackers to take control of machines by exploiting the “remote support” function originally designed to allow Microsoft to go into the machine and provide support and assistance.
It is however, possible for owners of machines with Windows XP to protect themselves by disabling the function in the Help & Support area, it is reported that Micrososft have released a tool that will automatically change the Help & Support settings and effectively protect against the virus, but as of 1st July it wasn’t available on their website.
Unless a proper patch or fix is developed soon the Windows “Help & Support” XP hack/virus threatens to be one of the worst attacks in a long time, it is already spreading at a rapid speed with randomly generated websites appearing that carry the virus.
Have you been affected? Leave a comment…