The US National Security Agency issued an advisory over a major security vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows users.  The malware known as BlueKeep leaves older versions of Windows users exposed to cyber attacks. 

Microsoft and National Security Agency (NSA) wants users of Windows 7, Windows XP and Server 2003 and 2008 to update their systems immediately.  Microsoft stated that nearly one million computers connected to the internet are currently vulnerable to the BlueKeep worm. 

It will only take one computer connected to the internet to provide a gateway to corporate networks.  This advanced malware could spread infecting computers across the corporation.   

The advisory notes that these are the affected versions of Windows:

  • Windows XP
  • Windows Server 2003
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows Server 2008
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft has issued a rare patch for Windows XP, which Microsoft no longer supports.  Microsoft is reminding all users of older releases of windows to patch their systems as soon as possible.  NSA recommends that everyone should know your network and only run supported operating systems with the latest patches.