Microsoft users in France at risk of cyberattack and should update urgently
The government platform www.cybermalveillance.gouv.fr has warned of several vulnerabilities in the software
The vulnerabilities apply to Windows 10 and 11 and versions of Microsoft Office from 2016 onwards
Melnikov Dmitriy/Shutterstock
Many users running Microsoft computer software should ensure their platform is up-to-date urgently, the French government has warned, due to a new risk of cyberattack, spyware, and fraud.
The government platform Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr has recently warned of several new vulnerabilities in widely-used Windows software - as well as specific programs including Outlook and Excel in Microsoft Office (from 2016 onwards) - which makes it more vulnerable to the latest cyber attacks.
These vulnerabilities have been identified on Windows 10 and 11, reports antivirus service Clubic, and can be “actively exploited by cybercriminals”. This could include taking remote control of devices, gaining access to personal data, spying, stealing or destroying data.
Windows has previously experienced this kind of vulnerability. In 2024, it had to fix more than 1,000 faults (which it does by issuing ‘patches’ and fixes in updates).
What should I do to avoid an attack?
Ensure that your PC, if it runs Windows 10 or 11 (as opposed to another operating system such as macOS 15 Sequoia, which runs on Apple computers), has its Windows software 100% up to date.
Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr has also reminded users to check their system regularly for updates. Most devices enable you to opt for automatic updates for your devices, which often ensures that any available updates are automatically installed.
However, sometimes you have the option to accept the installation, or wait until later, and this can mean that your software is not as up to date as it could be.
Read more: Computer scam catches 1,700 victims in France - how to avoid it
Read also: Seven much-used scams to watch out for in France
To check:
Click the Start (Windows) button on your computer menu
Select or type ‘Settings’
On most computers, you will see a button that says ‘Windows Update’
Click on it, and see when your PC was last updated.
To be 100% sure, you can click the ‘Check for Updates’ button.
You can also click the Start button and type ‘update’, and then ‘Check for Updates’.
This will search Windows resources online to see if there are any other updates your PC could need. If anything comes up, be sure to install it, and restart your computer.
On the same menu, there should be a ‘toggle’ switch on the option ‘Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available’. This should mean that your computer is always up to date (although it is worth double checking).
