Pirated, Outdated Operating Systems Contributes in Global Ransomware Attack

Information technology experts warned about a potential second wave of Wanna Decryptor (WannaCry) ransomware attacks, which hit 200,000 computer users in over 150 countries.

The ransomware was temporarily blocked after its onslaught on Friday, but reports from several countries showed that the first series of attacks could be a start of more dangerous cyber intrusions.

WannaCry virus encrypted users’ files on infected computers and demands $300 worth of Bitcoin to unlock the file.
Vox said black hat hackers have started to create new versions of the software that did not have the original WannaCry’s vulnerabilities.

Vox also called on the public to update their Windows operating systems to avoid security problems.

“The problem is that there are a lot of Windows computers out there that either don’t have automatic updates enabled or are so outdated that Microsoft has stopped providing security updates altogether,” Vox said.

Engadget, a technology blog network, said pirated OS also contributed to the WannaCry spread in some major companies and institutions in China.

“WannaCry’s propagation in those countries illustrate the dangers of using bootlegged software,” Engadget wrote.

The Filipino Times earlier reported that there was not been WannaCry cases in the UAE. Industry experts said the UAE was lease affected because the ransomware attack peaked on a non-working day in the country.

According to the Associated Press, thousands of new cases were reported in Asia on Monday.
Chinese state media said 29,372 bodies had been infected, while the Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center said at least 2,000 computers at 600 locations were hit by the ransomware in the country.

Credit: Indian Express

(Source: FilipinoTimes.ae)