wannaCrypt ransomware loses its kill switch – watch out

Stopping the malware that has hit over 200,000 computers worldwide will take more than just luck.

The WannaCrypt ransomware virus is mutating the same way bacteria do to become resistant to antibiotics.

The WannaCrypt malware has done a lot of damages. It is behind the viral ransomware attack which started On Friday, hitting nothing less than 150 countries and over 200,000 computers. The malware also shut down universities, banks, warehouses and hospitals.

The attack locked many people out of their computer, asking them to pay $300 worth Bitcoin each or risk losing the files that are important to them forever. The WannaCrypt malware attack quickly spread to different parts of the world, until a cybersecurity research accidentally found a kill switch in the code. He was able to at least temporarily halt the WannaCrypt hack with a domain name he purchased for $10.69

However, hackers have since made an update to the ransomware, leaving kill switch out this time. New variations of this ransomware have popped up bearing the name Uiwix.

Over the years, Windows PCs have been the subject of attack, as hackers have badly exploited vulnerabilities in what was the widely used operating system for decades.

WannaCrypt ransomware demanded 0.11943 Bitcoin

WannaCrypt ransomware is demanding 0.11943 bitcoin which is equivalent to $218 from anyone hit by the malware.

“These appear to be ‘patched’ versions of the original malware, rather than recompiled versions developed by the original authors,” said Ryan Kalember, senior vice president of cybersecurity strategy at Proofpoint.

He also said that we would continue to see new, mutated variants of the type of malware pop up more often. Ryan also said, there have been new variants of this type of ransomware every two to three days.

Although in March, Microsoft patched the vulnerability, but the ransomware preys on older systems which heavily rely on Windows XP.

All organizations have been advised to update their system to ensure they are not affected by the ransomware.

As WannaCrypt Ransomware continues to spread, you can get live tracking maps from MalwareTech. And make sure you also watch your back!

On the internet there are no boundaries. We were always 0.001ms away from infection.

All it takes to be infected is simple click and it's done.

Wordfence just sent out this post regarding the wave of ransomeware attacks currently underway and how to protect yourself. It is well worth the read.

https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2017/05/how-to-protect-yourself-against-wannacry/?utm_source=list&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=051417