After its release last week, a tool designed to help companies secure themselves from compromises following a global breach of Microsoft email server software has reportedly observed over 25,000 downloads.

According to an NSC (National Security Council) spokesperson, the number of compromised systems has decreased by 45% post the usage of the tool.

The one-click Microsoft tool was designed to secure networks from cyberattacks and patch compromises in systems. It was developed in the aftermath of a huge hack that affected tens of thousands of users of Microsoft's Exchange email service.

Knowledgeable sources cited that the breach was found in early January, and Chinese cyberspies aiming at U.S. policy think tanks were blamed for the hack. Then, later in February, just five days before Microsoft Corp. released a patch on March 2, an avalanche of infiltrations by other intruders took advantage of the initial breach.

Post the tool's release, the number of compromised systems has dropped from at least 120,000 to less than 10,000, sources confirmed.

Though Microsoft has been criticized for providing software that top hackers have exploited, Senior VP and CTO of prominent cybersecurity firm FireEye, Charles Carmakal, believes the tech giant deserves credit for working hard to help people who use its software to defend themselves.

He specifically mentioned the downloadable turnkey script helps people apply patches and check whether their systems have been hacked.

Organizations are in a tough position concerning cyber-risk in general, he added.

The hack was identified by the White House as an ‘active threat’ that was being discussed by senior national security officials earlier this month.

Anne Neuberger, the Deputy National Security Advisor, leading the response, has summoned private sector experts and government officials to brainstorm strategies, given that smaller companies lack the resources to combat cybercrime.

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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/tool-created-to-aid-cleanup-from-microsoft-hack-downloaded-over-25000-times-since-release/articleshow/81630952.cms