Know Why WannaCry ransomware is still a threat to your PC

WannaCry Ransomware Threat - It is Alive!

We know that ransomware is the most widely used cyber threat to conduct cybercrime and worldwide cyber attacks. Due to the large-scale attacks of ransomware on almost all the big nations, they present daily challenges to internet security.

Ransomware attacks are the best example that shows the advancement of exploit technology. Especially, attacks from WannaCry seems to be the worst as compared to others like NotPetya, Polyransom, Crysis, Cryakl and GandCrab.

The wannacry Ransomware's first outbreak was 18 months ago and the recent attack on IT support contractors of UK's  National Health Service caused a loss of $145,000. The increase in attack rates has grown as compared to last year. Cybersecurity experts said, "The attackers are planning to launch a new attack whose results will be worse."

Since may 2017, over last 18 months, Wannacry ransomware has spread rapidly across the networks. Today its infection rate is higher than it was in the last year. When in 2017, it first hit the Windows operating system, no one ever imagined that it would affect 200,000 computers across 150 countries.

At that time all the data within computer fell vulnerable to encryption algorithms of this cyberthreat and every Windows version became a victim to the attack.

Moreover, nobody knows how much the ransomware developers earned with this massive attack. But, now Wannacry tops the list of most widespread cryptor families and still continues to affect systems.

Cyber Threat Report of WannaCry Ransomware: Quarter 3 (Q3) in 2018

The ransomware attempted 74,621 attacks against renowned security experts and firms in 2018 from July to September. As compared to last year, the attacks in Q3 of 2018 were 29% higher and mostly affected windows based computers.

It is disturbing to see that attacks of WannaCry got increased by one-third as compared to the third quarter of 2017. This increase in numbers is a reminder that tells about the unavoidable and long-lasting consequences which victims face due to less security.

This quarter saw few more large-scale attacks at Allscripts and Atlanta in America. But, the WannaCry ransomware assault on Apple TSMC chipmaker in China was dangerous. In addition, to this Gandcrab ransomware attack on different organizations in Brazil, Indonesia was also severe.

Hence, witnessing present scenarios it is necessary for companies and tech-giants to take internet security measures for protecting data rather than focussing on recovery.

Why WannaCry Ransomware is Dangerous?

The ransomware spreads via EternalBlue Exploit tool. It is a leaked NSA hacking tool that was released to protect systems before WannaCry ransomware hit worldwide. This hacking tool has worm-like capabilities that help the ransomware to self-propagate itself.

The United States formerly asserted North Korea behind developing Wannacry. However, many cybersecurity experts see it as a privately disclosed flaw and call it a culpability on the part of America’s intelligence service. It is yet to be known how the cyber threat came into existence; Is the USA behind wannacry ransomware?

Besides, it should not be considered a virus because it has evolved with time. This cyber threat is one of its kind that started as a file encrypting software, evolved to a cryptolocker, cryptominer then successfully became a modern-day ransomware.

Also, read: icrypt@cock.li ransomware Removal Tool and Prevention Guide

Being a modern day cyber attack tool, it is not easy to fight against this particular ransomware. Despite the release of new security patches by intelligence services NSA, the ransomware affected universities and colleges of Brazil, Canada and Columbia in addition to Russian railways and internal ministeries.

The attack pattern of ransomware is so evident in the minds of its developers that to extort money and cause havoc in the cyber world, attackers would attack any country, anytime.

Hackers who infected 200,000 computers made $50,000 worth of bitcoin.

WannaCry and Windows: Are We Ready?

Considering the attacks, the ransomware primarily impacted Windows operating system due to its worldwide availability at homes and offices. The mere objective behind attacks is to extort money from the users while corrupting enormous database of windows.

And spreading this threat is comparatively more convenient on windows via malicious campaigns, spams, emails, corrupt files and documents, free games and programs, drop loader, etc.

Cybersecurity experts always warn us not to pay the ransom. Research on the recent scenarios reveals that users were being fooled even after paying the ransom. Use of advanced security and patch systems in companies and organizations might help in preventing the attacks, but that’s not the same with systems running on the home network.

Cyber attackers will attempt to carry out a wide-scale destructive campaign at personal computers and laptops. Doesn’t matter if we are ready or not, but wannacry ransomware could become a significant threat in the near future.

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