Cyber warning to South Africans after global attack
The world-wide cyber attack by extortionist hackers over the weekend has been described as the biggest ever.
IN the wake of Friday’s global cyber attack, a warning was issued to South Africans returning to work on Monday. The ransomware attack has been described as the largest-ever of its kind.
Experts expressed concern that there would be a resurgence in attacks when people return to work. People have been told not to open unknown emails and urged to update their security software as measures against the ransomware.
A kill switch was accidentally discovered for the “Wannacry” virus that attempts to extort people of money in return for their data by a British cybersecurity researcher.
Technology powerhouse Microsoft have also responded by re-releasing security updates for older versions of their Windows software in order to mitigate further outbreaks. This is because the virus has especially affected older Microsoft systems by taking advantage of a weakness found in documents leaked from the US National Security Agency.
More than 200 000 victims in 150 countries and regions were afflicted by the attacks with Russia and the United Kingdom the worst hit.
Governments quickly responded to the crisis, with among other things, G7 finance ministers – who were already scheduled to meet – turning their discussions toward the outbreak in Italy over the weekend.
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