EditorialGet alert against Ransomware!

Get alert against Ransomware!

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Ransomware- a malware virus has caused huge panic across the country after hitting nearly 150 countries across the globe. The vulnerability of is all the more because the malware hits old computer software systems more readily which are aplenty in this country. The outdated version of Windows XP, that the ransomware managed to exploit, is used by almost 70 per cent of Indian ATMs. The Reserve Bank of India has already directed banks to operate their ATM networks only after machines have received a Windows update to protect them from the rampant malware. The GST Network which will handle sensitive financial data of about 83.3 lakh existing taxpayers is setting up an exclusive Cyber Security Centre to predict, tackle and prevent attacks that could compromise critical details.

While these are timely steps, there is no room for complacency. A computer malware designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid — dubbed “WannaCry” — -which has of late attacked hundreds of thousands of computers around the in an estimated 150 countries could well hit India on a larger scale than now though it is at present reportedly confined to about 100 computers of the Andhra police. Experts say this ransomware that spreads as a worm needs only one computer on a given network to be infected. Following that, it automatically spreads to all linked computers. Once the malware gets installed on a system, the user is locked out and the hacker (who sent the ransomware) demands money (in this case it varies between $300 and $600 in BitCoins) to unlock the system. While people are being advised not to give in to ransom demands. The cold reality is that there is known way to combat the menace. The badly affected Service in United Kingdom said seven out of 47 trusts that were hit were still facing serious issues. Among the organisations targeted worldwide have been Germany's rail network Deutsche Bahn, Spanish telecommunications operator Telefonica, US logistics giant FedEx and Russia's interior ministry. The software threatens to delete files within seven days if no payment is made. Companies in Asia and Europe have been warning employees to be careful when clicking on attachments and links in their emails. There is a need to watch out for this malware and to shed complacency

Northlines
Northlines
The Northlines is an independent source on the Web for news, facts and figures relating to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and its neighbourhood.

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