Tech
Another major cyber-attack imminent, experts warn
A day after tens of thousands of computers in nearly 100 countries were affected by a global cyber-attack using hacking tools believed to have been created by the US National Security Agency (NSA), an expert has warned that more attacks are imminent.
UK security researcher “MalwareTech“, who helped to limit the ransomware attack, predicted “another one coming… quite likely on Monday”.
The virus, which took control of users’ files, spread to 100 countries, including Spain, France and Russia.
In England, 48 NHS trusts fell victim, as did 13 NHS bodies in Scotland.
Read also: Hackers launch cyberattacks in 100 countries using NSA tools
Some hospitals were forced to cancel procedures and appointments, as ambulances were directed to neighbouring hospitals free from the computer virus.
UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd said on Saturday that all but six NHS trusts’ systems had been restored, but that “there’s always more” that could be done to protect against computer viruses.
Only last Friday, Cyber-extortionists tricked victims into opening malicious malware attachments to spam emails that appeared to contain invoices, job offers, security warnings, and other legitimate files.
Researchers with security software maker Avast said they had observed 57,000 infections in 99 countries with Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan being the top targets.
The most disruptive attacks were reported in Britain, where hospitals and clinics were forced to turn away patients after losing access to computers.
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