Well worth reading through this article and taking note.

The same can be argued for other unsupported versions of Windows such as Windows 8 and Server 2003. Upgrade to a supported version and make sure automatic updates are ON.

Using network-attached computers unprotected without the latest patches is worse than having unprotected sex with a stranger in the real world. Metaphorically, its more like having unprotected sex that causes everyone in the neighbourhood to become infected."

Link http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/ransomware-attack-time-to-kill-off-old-windows-xp-systems-for-good/news-story/60113cb954b32ddf352359962ce4663e

A simplistic article written by someone who has no knowledge of engineering.

Many physical systems and machines are running under XP - it was the last Microsoft system which allowed direct access to the hardware - and without ditching and redesigning an entire machine/system it is impossible to replace it for many industrial users. This $100 operating system may be at the heart of a $1,000,000 machine. Computer life is not as limited as most journalists imagine.

A better strategy is to ensure you have off-line backups of all important data after all... what make you so sure a flaw of similar danger does not exist in Windows 10...?

Oh dear, sorry I posted it, guess I should have known.

In my opinion, so I could therefore be wrong (again)

Some of the problems are

• XP was once the Ants Pants of operating systems
• Responsible people like the Administrators of the British National Health System, choose XP
• Microsoft later decided that XP was obsolete and gave us Windows 7, as the Ants Pants of operating systems
• Microsoft later decided that Windows 7 was obsolete and gave us, Windows 8 as the Ants Pants of operating systems
• Microsoft later decided that Windows 8 was obsolete and gave us, Windows 10 as the Ants Pants of operating systems
• Microsoft later told everyone when they finally stopped updates for XP, about some of the vulnerabilities which could be used by the hackers. (I will assume that the hackers can also read, what I had read)
• Responsible people like the Administrators of the British National Health System, have obviously looked at the cost of upgrading their computer system, and probably decided that the money is better spent, on their patients.
• They probably assumed that no responsible person, would hack into a health service, and put sick patient lives at risk

I put up as one short term answer, as a way to stop the hackers, as in the past some hackers have been caught, but not very much happened to them

• Any hacker responsible for any hacking of any health system in any region of the world, should have all their fingers cut off.

I am sure that the message would get out fairly quickly, that even responsible people like myself, will do just about anything to protect their hospitalised family members from hackers
Paying the hackers a ransom, in my view is wrong, as you are encouraging them or their friends, to have another go

The Microsoft patch for Windows XP service pack 3 against WannaCry is here:

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2017/05/12/customer-guidance-for-wannacrypt-attacks/

Scroll down to "Further resources"

XP was released for sale in 2001 and withdrawn from sale in 2006. That's 11 to 16 years ago

The expected lifespan of a desktop PC in light home use duties is a maximum of 5 to 7 years (yes some do last longer).

Doesn't it seem old fashioned these days to see the huge old Cathode Ray Tube TVs that can't display widescreen? Oz TV went widescreen in 2003!
Would you expect a TV maker to still support and old CRT TV?
How long is any hardware company expected to support old products such as these?

So why should a software company support an old outdated operating system even if someone chooses to continue to use it long after its expected demise?

As a metaphor for ignoring technology advances, I cite the 12th century story of King Canute the Great, who demonstrated that regardless of whether you are so all powerful, you cannot hold back the waves.