WannaCry ransomware attack: Microsoft releases security patch to prevent spread of malware

In the background of the "WannaCry" ransomware attack, Microsoft on Tuesday issued a "highly unusual" patch for Windows XP to help avert the proliferation of the malware that infected at least 75,000 computers worldwide. 

"In reviewing the updates for this month, some vulnerabilities were identified that pose elevated risk of cyberattacks by government organisations, sometimes referred to as nation-state actors, or other copycat organisations," The Verge quoted Adrienne Hall, general manager of crisis management at Microsoft, as saying. 

"To address this risk, today we are providing additional security updates along with our regular Update Tuesday service. These security updates are being made available to all customers, including those using older versions of Windows," Hall added.

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Microsoft said that it is releasing updates for Windows XP, Windows Vista and several other recent versions of the operating system that may be unsupported or supported versions of Windows due to an "elevated risk" of attacks that may be the same as the WannaCry malware. 

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The patches can be downloaded on Microsoft's Download Centre or Windows Update.