There are news reports that at least 75000 ransomware attacks have occurred some days ago, with the 'WannaCry' ransomware having manipulated weaknesses in the Microsoft computers.

Ransomware Pops Up Worldwide

People are generally advised not to click any links or even download an attachment or a file that emerges from an unknown source. This is because of the fact that this type of links can contain malware that could enable hackers to enter the system and cause ransomware.

There is news about some of the biggest instances of ransomware attacks in recent record. Avast, a security company, claims to have detected over 75,000 such ransomware strikes in a single day just recently. The ransomware was spotted in systems spread over 99 countries from around the world.

The most recent ransomware attack has even struck major systems, for instance, the National Health Services of England as well as Telefonica, a telecom company of Spain. The attacks are now spreading out from Europe and entering the United States.

WannaCry

The name of the current ransomware is WannaCry and it is mentioned that the United States NSA developed the malware. WannaCry was developed for exploiting vulnerabilities in the Microsoft system as well as the identifying organization has given the label of EternalBlue to the ransomware.

NSA had designed the tools and The Shadow Brokers, a hacking group of people, stole these and tried to sell the tools during an auction and after that make them available completely free.

Users Notified

Homeland Security has issued a statement in which they have alerted all individual end users regarding the ransomware threat. It has advised users to update their Operating System and implement tight cybersecurity measures for their computers, at home, at work, and even in schools.

Windows 10 Protected

On the other hand, Microsoft claims that those who are making use of the Windows 10 computer completely updated version with the Windows Defender that operates the newest virus definitions are not prone to the ransomware attacks.

As explained by Microsoft, all of Windows versions that are supported, such as, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 together with Windows 10, will not be vulnerable and open to the ransomware attacks, if they have installed the most recent update of May 2017 patches.

Windows XP as well as Windows Vista

But, WannaCry can attack a number of other systems that are operating on the Windows XP or perhaps the Windows Vista, as they form a huge share of PCs around the world. Both these are not getting updates and even security patches coming from Microsoft at all.

Windows XP has 7% of the marketplace and the NHS is still operating the unsupported version. There are absolutely no updates for the Windows XP since the calendar month of April 2014.

Ransomware Demands

The WannaCry attacks lead to locking down of the system and a ransom amounting to $300 through Bitcoins. A number of attacks are gradually growing and it is infecting new places around the world. It is very important for individual users and also organizations to bring their os up to date using the most recent patches from Microsoft, immediately.