Photo by Tanawut Punketnakorn/iStock / Getty Images
In May, there was a global cyberattack, called WannaCry, which paralyzed computers in over 150 countries. While a kill switch has been activated for the major variant of the virus, there are other variants being circulated that have no kill switch.
The WannaCry virus is a type of malware called ransomware. It comes via email or through suspicious websites. Once you click the link, open the email attachment, or visit the infected website, the WannaCry virus goes through your computer and your network connections to all network files and locks or encrypts them so that you are not able to access them. The most frightening aspect of the WannaCry virus is that once it's on a network, it specifically seeks out Windows machines that have not received the proper patch.
The WannaCry software infected computers using Microsoft operating systems and displayed messages demanding users to pay $300 in bitcoin, a type of digital currency widely used online.
When you fall victim to this malicious virus, the criminals will tell you that you have two choices:
1) Pay the ransom and possibly get access to your files again; or,
2) Don’t pay the ransom and lose your files forever.
There is no way out and there is no turning back time. You should not pay a ransom for these files, in part because these cybercriminals are untrustworthy and there’s no way of knowing whether they actually will release the files.
The WannaCry virus was able to infect many systems because some users didn't install the latest security update, leaving computers vulnerable for any attack. Be sure to keep your device updated with the latest security updates and patches!
Cybercriminals are looking for a big payday. They’re sending viruses using a variety of schemes including phony shipping and confirmation emails. There are too many variations of phishing emails, which is why we are imploring you to never open email attachments from unknown senders. Never Ever. Never open attachments that you’re not expecting (when in doubt, call the sender to verify!). It takes just one click on an infected link or email attachment to have the virus spread to other computers within a network.
It’s time to step up your cybersecurity game… especially because the next version of this wicked, malicious virus could be headed for you.