A "worm" may be infecting your Windows 10 computer with a virus, warns the United States Department of Homeland Security. If you remember the massive 2017 Russian cyberattack called "WannaCry," reports said that it has similarities with this new "wormable bug." Here are the things it can do, but also things you can do to prevent it.
'Worm' Found in Windows 10 Computers; Here's What it Can Do to You
On Tuesday, June 9, DailyMail UK reported a new bug that may be affecting users' privacy on Windows 10 devices. This was after exploit code was published online said to be used by the hackers to easily infiltrate anyone's device.
The exploit, called SMBGhost, is a high-quality computer bug that even hackers may take time before successfully executing. Homeland Security warns that the bug has a "wormlike" nature of exploitation.
It means that once hackers take hold of SMBGhost and successfully execute it, it allows malicious cyber actors to download malware and target the main system of Windows 10. Worse, the bug can enter the system of anyone's Windows 10 without you even knowing.
"Although Microsoft disclosed and provided updates for this vulnerability in March 2020, malicious cyber actors are targeting unpatched systems with the new PoC, according to recent open-source reports," said the security agency.
Who first discovered this 'worm'?
Before Homeland Security took action, a researcher already shared the code on Github which saying, "It was written quickly and needs some work to be more reliable.' Using this for any purpose other than self-education is an extremely bad idea," according to TechXplore.
The Windows bug is located in the Server Message Block (SMB) of the system. This is one of the most important parts of a computer since this is where files, printers, and other accessories are linked through local networks.
So if one person gets this malicious worm inside their computer, it could create a massive domino effect with other users.
What to do to stop this bug?
Just in case you feel that your device already has the "worm" bug, Homeland Security advises you to download a strong firewall to "block server message block ports from the internet and to apply patches to critical- and high-severity vulnerabilities as soon as possible."
Another advice is to be aware of websites that you use every day. There's a bigger chance that this bug poses a simple pop-up that may enter your computer, without you knowing.
You don't want the "WannaCry"-- encrypted data on more than 200,000 Windows computers in 150 countries and issued demands ransom using Bitcoin cryptocurrency-- to happen again.
