Friday, May 03 2024 | Updated at 12:32 AM EDT

Stay Connected With Us F T R

May 15, 2017 11:10 AM EDT

The nasty and huge "ransomware" attack that seized computers worldwide on Friday is set to have a second wave. Apparently, experts warn that the virus could "come back" in computers that have been fixed already.

In one instance, the cyber attack prevented people from receiving hospital care. Now, a second wave of what European officials label as the "biggest ransomware attack ever" is highly likely to be more devastating. The software first infected Britain's National Health Service (NHS) before spreading to as many as 150 countries.

According to The Washington Post, the "ransomware" breached and locked down victims' computers and even threatened to delete their files unless they pay $300 in bitcoins. For the record, bitcoins are black chain money wherein one bitcoin is currently worth 1, 596 Euros. The attack primarily targeted users of Windows XP, an aging operating system for Microsoft.

The damage was contained by a 22-year-old security researcher who goes by the name @MalwareTechBlog on Twitter. This person discovered that the unnamed online terrorists accidentally included a "kill switch" in their software that allowed owners of websites to stop the attack. However, the researcher had to pay roughly $10 to acquire the domain name before being able to thwart the malware.

Nevertheless, experts know that the victory could be short-lived. Otherwise known as "WannaCry" or "Wanna Decryptor", the virus is likely to be modified soon and the culprits may continue the attack at greater levels. Thus, governments and cyber-security forces should treat it as a "wake-up call".

Any software vulnerability which could be accessed by hackers should be strengthened. Consequently, Microsoft should investigate the dangerous flaw in its system. Luckily, though, the spread of "WannaCry" has slowed down over the weekend. So far, over 200,000 computers have been infected.

Meanwhile, ABC News provided five ways to become "smaller targets" for "ransomware" hackers. Foremost, the public must secure backups. Well, once files are encrypted, users have very limited options to retrieve them.

Secondly, people must update their systems. Those who did not apply Microsoft's March software fix are more vulnerable. Thirdly, everyone should install antivirus software that will protect them from the most basic viruses by scanning the computer system. Next is to educate the workforce about what to click and what to ignore when it comes to suspicious links.

Lastly, when affected already, users must not wait and see. Immediately shut down the network to prevent continued encryption. Attackers will encourage victims to keep their computers on but do not be fooled.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit

Follows ransomware, NHS ransomware attack, NHS, largest ransomware attack, biggest ransomware attack, Cybersecurity, Cyber Crime, cyberattack, bitcoin, how much is one bitcoin, National Health Service
© 2024 University Herald, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Must Read

Common Challenges for College Students: How to Overcome Them

Oct 17, 2022 PM EDTFor most people, college is a phenomenal experience. However, while higher education offers benefits, it can also come with a number of challenges to ...

Top 5 Best Resources for Math Students

Oct 17, 2022 AM EDTMath is a subject that needs to be tackled differently than any other class, so you'll need the right tools and resources to master it. So here are 5 ...

Why Taking a DNA Test is Vital Before Starting a Family

Oct 12, 2022 PM EDTIf you're considering starting a family, this is an exciting time! There are no doubt a million things running through your head right now, from ...

By Enabling The Use Of Second-Hand Technology, Alloallo Scutter It's Growth While Being Economically And Environmentally Friendly.

Oct 11, 2022 PM EDTBrands are being forced to prioritise customer lifetime value and foster brand loyalty as return on advertising investment plummets. Several brands, ...