WannaCry ransomware attack: Three Hyderabad firms fall prey

Hyderabad: The WannaCry ransomware attack, which wreaked havoc across the world and debilitated several lakhs of computers, has also attacked three firms in Hyderabad.

Two visa consultancy agencies and one IT/BPO firm reported the attack of WannaCry ransomware cryptoworm. Perpetrators demanded USD 21,000 in three cases.

Cyber Crime officials feel that the investigation will be a tough task as the analysis of the cases reported in other countries had revealed that perpetrators were using dark net, an overlay network that can be accessed only with specific software, configurations, or authorization.

Telangana Today has quoted a senior official saying “The virus is of 12 variants, and each has about 12 layers of security net. It is an almost impossible challenge.” They have asked the complainants to keep the inflected computers in Safe Mode and to obtain the keys to remove the virus, which is available in anti-virus software provided by Operating System manufacturing firms like Microsoft.

The cyber crime official has advised internet users not to open suspicious emails or messages flashing on their computers.