WannaCry ransomware

WannaCry, Wanna Decryptor, WannaCrypt – whatever it's referred to, the ransomware involved in the recent NHS computer hack is, by and large, the same bitcoin-demanding beast. Here we explain everything we know about the worm that caused global chaos.

This unprecedented malware attack began sweeping the globe late last week, and security researchers estimated that nearly 57,000 computers in more than 150 countries were infected by the end of the day on Friday. While the spread of this terrifying ransomware was slowed on Saturday, it was hardly stopped. As of Monday morning, more than 200,000 systems around the world are believed to have been infected.

What is this bitcoin stuff the hackers want us to pay with?

Hackers typically demand payment via bitcoin, an untraceable digital currency often used on shadowy parts of the internet. While it's hard to trace

If infected by ransomware…

Even with the best precautions and policies in place, it is possible to fall victim to an attack. In the event that your data is held hostage by ransomware, here is some advice to keep in mind:

1. Remain calm. Rash decisions could cause further data loss. For example, if you discover a ransomware infection and suddenly cut power to a server, versus powering it down properly, you could lose data in addition to the infected data.
2. Check your most-recent set of backups. If they are in-tact and up-to-date, the data recovery becomes easier to restore to a different system.
3. Never pay the ransom because attackers may not unlock your data. We mentioned this earlier on. There are many cases of ransomware victims paying the ransom demanded and not receiving their data in return. Rather than running this risk, companies should work with data recovery experts who may be able to regain access to the data by reverse engineering the malware.
4. Contact a specialist for advice and to explore recovery options. We can examine your scenario to see if we have a solution already in place or if we are able to develop one in time.