Your computer is (probably) vulnerable to this bug – here’s what to do

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It’s a universal truth that IT experts hate anything to do with printers and here’s another good reason to add to the pile. A pretty gnarly Windows exploit called PrintNightmare lets hackers run malicious code from the Windows Print Spooler.

Microsoft knows about the vulnerability, and a fix for Windows 7 (yes, that supposedly out-of-service OS) has been issued, with patches for Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, version 1607, and Windows Server 2012 all expected “soon.” Once available, you should install the update asap so that the vulnerability is mitigated.

The rush to release a patch came partly because the researchers accidentally published the code to GitHub before the scheduled release. They intended to talk about the vulnerability at the annual Black Hat security conference later this month.

As to how big a deal this is? Every version of Windows runs the Print Spooler service, so every version is vulnerable. If an attacker used the PrintNightmare exploit on your computer, they could take over your whole PC, wiping your data or locking you out of your own PC. Yikes.

How to protect yourself from PrintNightmare

You can leave the Print Spooler Service disabled until Microsoft releases the patch for your Windows version. Now you’re safe from PrintNightmare, and can breathe a sigh of relief.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.