New Virus Alert - Ransomware virus
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Sunday, 14th May, 2017
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05:15am
Please NOTE that there is an encryption based cyber-attack, in the form of ransomware, that is targeting computers running the Windows operating system and is spreading worldwide. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infects a computer and restricts users' access to the infected computer until a ransom is paid to unlock it. The ransomware virus, which goes by the name WannaCry or WannaCrypt0r or WanaDecrypt0r, has been reported to have infected tens of thousands of computers in many countries around the world and continues to spread. Once a computer is infected with the ransomware virus, it tried to infect other computers in the same network. Individuals and organizations are discouraged from paying the ransom, as this does not guarantee access will be restored.
Beware and put in place the following preventative measures:
- Ensure that you keep an up-to-date back up of your important files offline. This will ensure that in the event your computer is attacked, you can restore your files from the backup.
- Ensure that your computer's operating system (OS) is updated. This is especially for users running the Windows operating system in their computers, which is the main target of this particular cyber-attack.
- Ensure that your Anti-Virus is up-to-date.
- Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments or emails from people or sources you don't know or companies you don't do business with.
- Be alert when opening emails especially if they contain links or attachments. You should also take special attention of any email attachment that advises you to enable macros to view its content. Unless you trust the source, do not enable macros and instead delete the email immediately and permanently.
