WINDOWS 10 users need to update their PCs and download the latest patch, or else they risk having their computers remotely taken over by hackers.

Windows 10 users at a risk from a “critical” vulnerability that lets cybercriminals take over their PCs, unless they update their computers now, Microsoft have patched dozens of major security vulnerabilities that affect all supported versions of Windows.

One “critical” vulnerability enabled a hacker to exploit how Windows Search handles objects in memory, and fully takeover an affected computer. Cybercriminals could then install programmes, view or delete date or create new accounts with full user rights, Microsoft said in an advisory.

To exploit the vulnerability, hackers would send specially crafted messages to the Windows Search service. They would then be able to “elevate privileges and take control of the computer”.

Microsoft said the latest update “addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Windows Search handles objects in memory”. Every supported version of Windows 7 and all versions of Windows 10 - as well as Windows Server systems - were affected by the bugs.

The vital security update was released by Microsoft on patch Tuesday this week. The Redmond-based tech firm issues 46 security flaws in Windows, and of these 25 were rated critical. Some 21 were deemed important.

And out of these flaws, a staggering 27 can be exploited to run remote code. Adobe have also released their own security updates for products this week, including Flash, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader.

It addressed 67 vulnerabilities across Adobe products, and 43 of these were deemed critical. However, none of these flaws are reportedly being exploited by hackers.

Here's what you should do after a Windows 10 upgrade Express.co.uk recently revealed how Windows 10 is siphoning off a massive amount of data from its users.

Microsoft says 70 per cent of users are happy with the data collection in Windows 10. That’s surprisingly high, especially given the controversy that has rocked the operating system in the past over the amount of telemetry data is collected by the software.

In response to the kickback over telemetry data collection, Microsoft simplified its settings menu, making it easier to switch off some data collection.

Head of Windows and Devices Group Privacy Office, Marisa Rogers said: “The feedback we've received about the Creators Update has been positive. "This is great news to us because what we hear from you directly impacts the improvements we make.”

According to the latest statistics from Rogers, some 71 per cent of Windows 10 users settle with the default data collection option – enabling the operating system to siphon a slew of diagnostics data and send it back to Redmond.

Source: Express