On May 12, 2017, the “WannaCry” cryptoworm made its first appearance. It exploited a vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows operating system to break into computers, encrypt their data and post ransom notes.
Within a day, the code was reported to have infected more than 230,000 computers in more than 150 countries. It shut down National Health Service hospitals in England and Scotland. FedEx, Spain’s Telefonica and Honda were among the hundreds of companies also affected. Although virtually none of the victims paid the ransom, the economic losses from the attack are estimated to have reached several billion dollars.
On Friday, May 12, 2017, the WannaCry cryptoworm made its first appearance. It exploited a vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows operating system to break into computers, encrypt their data and post ransom notes. Within a day, the code was reported to have infected more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries. It shut down National Health Service hospitals in England and Scotland. FedEx, Spain’s Telefonica and Honda were among the hundreds of companies also affected. Although virtually none of the victims paid the ransom, the economic losses from the attack are estimated to have reached several billion dollars.