Know about WannaCry ransomware – Latest Hacking Updates
WannaCry ransomware is a type of malware that caused a global cybersecurity crisis in May 2017. The malware targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, encrypting their files and demanding payment in exchange for the decryption key.
WannaCry is classified as a worm because of its ability to spread rapidly across networks, infecting multiple computers in a short amount of time. It was able to do this through a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows known as EternalBlue, which was discovered by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) and later stolen by hackers.
Once a computer was infected with WannaCry, the malware encrypted the files on the system and displayed a message demanding payment of $300 in Bitcoin within three days, or the ransom would double. The message also threatened that if payment was not made within seven days, the files would be permanently deleted.
The WannaCry ransomware affected over 200,000 computers in more than 150 countries, including businesses, hospitals, and government organizations. The attack caused significant disruption to operations, as many organizations were unable to access their critical data and systems.
The impact of the attack led to an international response, with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts working together to identify the perpetrators and find ways to mitigate the damage. It also served as a wake-up call for organizations to take cybersecurity more seriously and implement better protection measures.
In response to the attack, Microsoft released a security patch(CVE-2017-0143, CVE-2017-0144, CVE-2017-0145, CVE-2017-0146, CVE-2017-0148) for the EternalBlue vulnerability and urged users to update their systems. It also launched a program to provide free security updates for Windows XP, which was no longer supported by the company but was still in use by many organizations.
See more: High severity flaw allowed hackers repojacking GitHub Repository
WannaCry ransomware is a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the potential impact of a successful attack. To protect against ransomware, organizations should take steps such as regularly backing up data, updating software and operating systems, and educating users on safe browsing habits. It’s also important to have an incident response plan in place, which can help mitigate the impact of an attack and reduce the risk of paying the ransom.
In conclusion, the WannaCry ransomware attack was a significant cybersecurity event that highlighted the dangers of ransomware and the need for better protection measures. While the attack caused significant disruption and damage, it also led to greater awareness and action in the cybersecurity community to prevent similar attacks in the future.
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