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The WannaCry ransomware delivered some devastating results when it struck 99 countries and disrupted health care organizations in the blink of an eye. Ransomware should never be trifled with because it can potentially lock you out of your computer, meaning important and sensitive data can be compromised. Here, we explain the nature of the WannaCry ransomware and how you can fulfill your part to make sure you are secure from it.
WannaCry ransomware is a malware that nearly everyone who uses the internet frequently has become familiar with, thanks to the outcome that took place when it affected 100+ countries during its malicious run.
With more and more devices and machines expected to be connected to the internet in the foreseeable future, it is imperative that you know what you are up against. To help you prepare for the worst, here is everything you need to know about the WannaCry ransomware and how you can protect yourself and your data against it.
What is WannaCry Ransomware? Who started this mess?
The vulnerability behind WannaCry ransomware was first discovered by the NSA, and afterward, it was made public by a hacking group called ShadowBrokers during the month of April. While software companies of major operating systems like Microsoft, Google, and Apple can patch vulnerabilities that can be exploited by this malware, malevolent hackers are also one step ahead as they can create a new version that can have negative global ramifications on millions of computers and machines.
WannaCry ransomware can target computers that are connected to the internet and can lock the owner from accessing their files by encrypting their entire data. There is no possible way to decrypt the data yourself, which is why hackers have a huge leverage against you when they ask for ransom to decrypt your data and allow you to access your data again, hence the term ransomware.
Nowadays, with storage drives’ capacity increasing, thanks to the influx of data being stored, you are bound to have sensitive data present on the hard drive. But if you’re locked out from your computer, you will have no choice but to pay the ransom to get access to that data once more.
Who are affected by WannaCry?
Potentially, anyone who is connected to the internet can and will be affected by WannaCry. However, a partial blame should also be directed towards thousands of organizations and millions of computer users who continue to run obsolete operating systems that have not received security updates for the longest time. The plain victims are users who continue to run Windows XP even after Microsoft stopped releasing timely software and security updates for the platform.
Why are hackers asking for ransom in Bitcoin?
Hackers requiring payments in the form of Bitcoin is actually a smart move on their part because ransom being demanded in cryptocurrency form is untraceable to the hackers’ actual location. Suppose if these hackers end up providing bank account details, now authorities would be able to track down their location with this information and put an end to their nefarious activities.
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