Is this a rumor about "tasksche.exe"?

[Daniel Fernandes]

Hi, since yesterday, I got this message from several people on WhatsApp:

"Massive Ransomeware attack... Total 74 countries affected...Please do not open any email which has attachments with "tasksche.exe" file. Please send this important message too all your computer users"​

It's very strange that I got the exact same words from everyone. I believe it's not true. Right?

 

[Deleted User]

yes it's true. A large number of our hospitals were affected, causing total chaos

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39918426

 

[Daniel Fernandes]

What? It's true? Oh God!
How do you think I should save myself?
Oh, and thanks for telling me that it's true...

 

[Deleted User]

What? It's true? Oh God!
How do you think I should save myself?
Oh, and thanks for telling me that it's true...

Simple. Back up your important files, and keep your system updated with the latest security patches.

 

[Daniel Fernandes]

MalwareBytes will do? I just installed it yesterday, and I'm on the trial version of the paid version. Okay, I already have the backups, just need to update it now...

 

[mikedt]

What? It's true? Oh God!
How do you think I should save myself?
Oh, and thanks for telling me that it's true...

Are you using Windows? Myself, I don't.

 

[Daniel Fernandes]

Yes, I am using Windows 7...

 

[Davdi]

Which is in 'Extended Support' i.e. gets security updates until 2020 (April I think).

Personally I'd back up all my data and install LINUX instead (Mint with Cinnamon Desktop for preference) and just let it use the whole hard disk.
Unless there's some very specific application, or you really need complex macros in office, you'll find Linux has all the software you could want.

And don't forget Viruses don't exist in the Linux world.