If you were one of those whose system was infected by the WannaCry ransomware attack - guess what, another ransomware is now spreading across parts of Russia and Europe.
Is ransomware going to become the NEW NORMAL?
WannaCry (earlier in May this year) crippled global networks, infected over 200,000 systems globally across large corporations, government agencies and common folk like you and me. The UK's healthcare provider faced massive lockouts leading to many patients unable to receive proper medical attention.
Why Ransomware
Ransomware - which renders computers/files unusable is not something new. However, the **rise of cryptocurrencies have made ransomware lucrative and less risky for the perpetrators.
These viruses typically work by encrypting files/systems. In what is being called Petya, this new virus is demanding $300 from users to unlock their systems.
What you can do to be safe
You can easily increase your level of safety by taking some basic steps
- Install or upgrade anti-virus
- Upgrade to Windows 7 or 10 AND install the latest security patches
- Avoid visiting any shady websites
- Do not install softawre from untrustworty sources
- Do not click on links or upon attachments from suspicious email
Your estranged grandma doesnt want to send you $1,00,000 from Nigeria
What's Next
There is no easy solution to "treating" such attacks - largely due to their increasing sophistication and anonymity that receiving payments in crypto offers.
**As stakeholders within the crypto ecosystem - lets spread awareness - its the least we can all do"