Forbes has recently reported on a new Wi-Fi vulnerability for Windows that can let hackers take over your Windows device and infect it with malware by just being on the same Wi-Fi network as you. Microsoft has confirmed the vulnerability and advised all users to update their Windows PCs immediately, mainly if they often use public Wi-Fi.

This Wi-Fi flaw has been assigned as CVE-2024-30078 and rated 8.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, a scale to determine an attack’s severity. The most important thing to know about the flaw is that it doesn’t require the hacker to have physical control over your device. They don’t even need to send you a link or get you to open an email. The attack can be executed simply by being on the same Wi-Fi network.

This makes your Windows computer or laptop extra susceptible in public spaces such as airports, hotels, or private events where most share Wi-Fi. It’s important to note that all currently supported versions of Windows are equally at risk of this new vulnerability, which means it affects both Windows 10 and Windows 11 users.

Microsoft has advised all Windows users to promptly apply the latest patches by updating Windows. Ensuring you’re on the latest version of Windows is always good practice. To learn more about how to make your Windows more secure, feel free to refer to this guide.