New evidence suggests most WannaCry victims were running Windows 7, Windows XP is ‘insignificant’

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Published onMay 19, 2017

published onMay 19, 2017

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It has been one week since the WannaCry ransomware made its way into computers around the globe, but now that the dust has settled, researchers have had time to examine the true impacts. According to new reports, new evidence is suggesting that most WannaCry victims were running Windows 7, meaning that Windows XP is ‘insignificant’ when it comes to the distribution of the ransomware across Windows machines (via The Verge).

#WannaCryinfection distribution by the Windows version. Worst hit – Windows 7 x64. The Windows XP count is insignificant.pic.twitter.com/5GhORWPQij

— Costin Raiu (@craiu)May 19, 2017

The data fueling the latest reports comes fromKapersky Lab, a Russian multinational cyber security and anti-virus provider. Their data shows that when put all together, about 98% of computers affected by WannaCry were running Windows 7. Windows XP, meanwhile, only accounted for about one in a thousand infections.

This latest data raises concerns: while most media emphasis was on Windows XP, Windows 7 was impacted too, and this one is still the most popular version of Windows nearly eight years after its release. It is worth noting that several months ago, Microsoft had issued a patch for recent versions of Windows which was aimed at protecting from the attack, but most administrators could have likely not installed it.Microsoft also recently issued an emergency patchfor Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Sever 2003, aimed at stopping the exploit, but not before it had already spread worldwide.

The hacking group linked to WannaCryhas suggested that more exploits could come,perhaps even having an impact on Windows 10. Microsoft, nonetheless,has criticized the government’s stockpilingof software vulnerabilities following the WannaCrypt ransomware attack. As recently as yesterday, a French-based researcherhas also suggested a methodfor WannaCry victims to decrypt their data without paying the ransom.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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New evidence suggests most WannaCry victims were running Windows 7, Windows XP is ‘insignificant’