Alert: Over 100 computers of Andhra Pradesh Police affected by WannaCry ransomware
- WannaCry is a ransomware that locks down systems by encrypting data and demands ransom amount.
- The cyberattack has taken down health services in the UK.
- 70 percent of ATMs in India could be affected.
FollowAmong the affected are the 102 computer systems of the Andhra Pradesh police that were hacked late last week, according to The Times of India report. Besides, the report adds that the malware has also stopped Nissan-Renault alliance plant in Chennai.
The attacks were confirmed to be a result of the Wanna Decrptor or WannaCry, a ransomware that locks down systems by encrypting data and demands ransom amount to decrypt it. The cyberattack has taken down health services in the UK and telecom network in Spain and also govt related systems in Russia.
The report also talks about the vulnerabilities of ATMs in India. As per reports, Microsoft's Windows XP is said to be the weak factor that has led to crippling of the system, which is said to be used by 70 percent ATMs. Clearly they haven't been upgraded, though Microsoft stopped providing support for for XP in 2014. However, considering the threats, Microsoft has now released updates for older systems.
Meanwhile, the IT ministry has reached out to RBI, National Payments Corporation of India, NIC and UIDAI (Aadhaar) to advise them to protect their systems against 'WannaCry' ransomware. It has also instructed cyber security unit CERT-In to gather information of 'WannaCry' ransomware that has wrecked havoc across sectors.
