Things To Know About Ransomware Cyber Attack

A clamour spread on 12 May 2017 as a malware was launched infecting more than 57,000 computers in nearly 100 countries including UK, Russia, Unites states, Spain, china and India. On Monday (16 May) the havoc got accelerated as the working class couldn't access their computers. Here are a few important things that you need to know about the worst ever cyber attack witnessed by the world:

What is a ransomware?
Ransomware is a kind of malware that encrypts your information on the computer and prevents users from accessing the files on their system until a certain amount is paid. In addition, there is no guarantee that user will get access ever after the payment. The malware is supposed to get to your systems through emails or clicking on the links and opening attachments in spam emails and downloading from unknown sources. Ransomware attacks rise 167 times in 2016 compared to 2015 as per the stats.

What is the attack about?
An unknown group worldwide targeting the vulnerabilities in the Microsoft windows operating system launched a ransomware known as WanaCrypt0r 2.0, WannaCry and WCry. The virus displays a message asking for $300 ransom in bitcoins to unlock the system. Those who have not installed the new patch introduced by Microsoft are badly affected.

Who are the attackers?
An unidentified group known as shadow brokers is believed to have stolen the tools from United States National Intelligence Agency. They used "Eternal Blue", a hacking developed by NSA collect cyber weapons and vulnerabilities in popular operating systems and software so they can use them to carry out intelligence gathering or engage in cyber warfare as per Edward Snowden, a former Central Intelligence Agency Employee.

Who are all affected?
The ransomware attack infected over 75,000 users in over 99 countries, using 28 different languages to demand money from users. UK's National Health Services hit bottom as 48 out of 248 hospitals have cancelled patient's appointments. Spain's Telefónica and several other large companies, FedEx, Deutsche Bank, as well as the Russian Interior Ministry and Russian telecom MegaFon, Nissan and Vivo have shut down their infected systems and trying to mitigate the risk.

How Secure are Indian databases?
In India, people are well acquainted with Cyber weapons and security updates hence chances of the threat is high. Linkage of Aadhar card to bank accounts and other personal and sensitive information is an issue to ponder about.

Latest development on the issue
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the central agency coordinating efforts on cyber security issues, has issued a "critical alert" and has advised the installation of relevant "patches" to protect against any data breaches.

The government's cyber security arm has asked the central bank, stock exchanges, the National Payments Corp. of India (NPCI) and other vital institutions to safeguard their systems against the latest cyber attack that has infected thousands of systems globally and may escalate further.

Prevention is better than cure hence people are being advised to upgrade their system.