NSA’s Windows Hacking Tools Leaked, Millions of Users Exposed [UPDATED]

[CrAKeN]

 

Microsoft hasn't yet commented on this leak

 

A set of tools allegedly belonging to the NSA and used to break into Windows systems across the world was posted online by infamous hacker group Shadow Brokers.

 

It appears that the hacking software was stolen from the NSA last summer and it can be used for hacking the majority of Windows versions currently out there, except for Windows 10.

 

On the other hand, the leaked data appears to also include exploits aimed at Windows 10 systems, though the majority of hacking tools are designed for older versions of the operating system, such as Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1. There are also several hacking tools for Windows Server versions.

 

Microsoft hasn’t yet issued a statement to confirm the hack, but it goes without saying that the leak happened at a time when many IT experts might be caught off-guard because of the weekend and the Easter holiday. Furthermore, part of Microsoft’s security teams is also likely to be out of the office, and all of these only leave the millions of users out there exposed to attacks.

 

No way to remain protected

Security experts warn that with the hacking tools now available online, the number of attacks aimed at Windows systems is very likely to skyrocket during the weekend, especially because newbie hackers have more time to launch their attacks, while at the same time being able to find victims easily because users spend more time online on their days off.

 

Edward Snowden has also confirmed the leak, explaining that “this is not a drill, NSA exploits affecting many fully-patched Windows systems have been released to the wild. NSA did not warn Microsoft.”

 

As for ways to remain protected until Microsoft delivers patches, there’s really no hackerproof solution right now, other than running Windows 10, though there’s evidence that this operating system version can be hijacked as well. Security experts recommend to keep critical systems offline for a few days, at least until after the weekend, but it’s very clear this isn’t the most convenient solution right now.

 

We’ve contacted Microsoft to ask for more information on this leak and we’ll update the article when an answer is offered.

 

UPDATE: Microsoft has provided us with the following statement: "We are reviewing the report and will take the necessary actions to protect our customers."

 

Source

[SnakeMasteR]

Update incoming, you might wanna thank Shadow Brokers. 

 

More leaks we get, less superior teh feds. 

[moonlight]

Where is that article originating from?

 

[Edit] Ups, sorry my bad, didn't see the link first

[info999]

where can I download this ? for ... you know ... research 

[straycat19]

18 hours ago, CrAKeN said:

Microsoft has provided us with the following statement: "We are reviewing the report and will take the necessary actions to protect our customers."

 

That's a joke.  Same hole in windows has existed since 1992 and they haven't found it and patched it yet and it is still being used to access Windows systems today.  You will never see it in an exploit because it doesn't require one to be used.  If they wanted to protect their customers they would abandon Windows completely and come up with their own version of LInux and call it Windows.  Nothing like starting over from scratch which is always their excuse for coming out with a new version.  That it will be more secure.  Nothing like bullshit to make the grass greener, though it reality it is still dying.

[steven36]

37 minutes ago, straycat19 said:

Nothing like bullshit to make the grass greener, though it reality it is still dying.

Linux cant save it  will just be the only desktop OSes  that is remotely left  that's like soon too be retro legacy OS because many do it for non profit  . its like back when we had Betamax and VHS tapes VHS won the tape war but tapes were replaced by Disc now Disc are being replaced by streaming and downloadable media . Something will come along and replace PCs  one day and already there is more users on Android phones than Windows . Windows missed the boat on phones and bad news was reported today that shows Windows phones is in  even more decline . Only insiders will get Windows 10 phones with creators update  the general public will be stuck on redstone 1 phones.  Some stock market  annalist  predict Microsoft ship is about to sink and not going  do good soon be it from Cloud  all the way down to PCs  fact is only thing there in  1st place at  is desktop PCs and the PC business is in secular decline, and Microsoft isn’t nearly as dominant as it used to be.

 

 

[Sylence]

Yet some people still use tools like "destroy windows spying" "disable telemetry, spy" etc and things like that. it's silly to think with tools some script kiddies made you can actually stop NSA not to spy on you. Linux, Windows, even the stupid full-of-security-holes Mac, they are all vulnerable. if one of those OSes was actually safe and spy proof then they wouldn't even let it be created in the first place, least not in the US.

[humble3d]

MSFT boasts they already fixed most of those exploits... Time will tell...