Kaspersky report says Windows 7 was most affected OS due to WannaCry

WannaCry, one of the biggest ransomware attack in the history, wreaked havoc across the world by hitting more than 300,000 windows computers in 150 countries since it surfaced on May, 12. Though Microsoft issued a security patch for its unsupported systems, the company received rounds of flak for not rolling timely security updates, specifically for Windows XP. However, according to a new report, Windows XP was least affected OS by the ransomware.

Over 90 percent of hacked devices running on Windows 7

According to data published by Kaspersky, over 90 percent of the affected devices were running on versions of Windows 7, for which the security update was released two months prior to the attack by the company. However, most of the administrator of these devices could not install this patch and ended up getting hacked.

On the other hand, less than one in a thousand were powered by Windows XP making it almost insignificant for the discussion. Windows XP users received the security update only after a day of the ransomware attack. Although Microsoft did advise all its users to upgrade their systems, users thought Windows XP was at risk, instead of Windows 7.

Barely 0.1 percent hacked devices operating Windows XP

Kaspersky Lab has shared a table that shows different Windows operating system versions and the number of devices running on them. While affected Windows XP devices counted for hardly 0.1 percent, Window 2008 R2 Server accounted for 1.5 percent of the entire devices hacked. Windows 10 x64 accounted for 0.03 percent.

#WannaCry infection 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

According to the data, 60.35 percent devices running on Windows 7 x64 were hacked, followed by 31.72 percent on Windows 7, 3.67 percent on Windows 7 Home x64 Edition and 2.61 percent on Windows 7 Home. Windows 7, which accounts for roughly four times as many users as Windows 10 worldwide, was released in 2009 and decommissioned three years ago.

One of the reasons, XP was hardly affected is because the PCs crashed before the malware could take hold of the device.

Meanwhile, a team of researchers across the world were quick to create a tool, christened Wanakiwi to unlock the locked files. The hackers have reportedly received just under 300 payments totalling 48.86359565 bitcoins as of Saturday evening, the equivalent of about US $101,000.

The moral of the story: Instead of carrying this lax attitude, update your computer regularly if you don't wanna cry!