Ransomware 'Wanna Cry'

A few weeks ago, the world experienced a computer attack whose impact was so strong that it put the world population on warning, and governments of the affected countries to work to counter it. That is, the 'Ransomware Wanna Cry'.

Professor John Alexander Sanabria from the School of Systems and Computer Engineering explained further:

"Ransomware is a type of malicious software that blocks access to a victim's data or threatens the victim against the possibility of publishing sensitive information. This type of software uses cryptography techniques that make it difficult or impossible for the victim to unblock their information or prevent their data from being made public.

Generally, ransomware is inoculated into the victim's computer through viruses known as Trojans. Trojans manage to access the victim's computer through files that are downloaded or found as they access unknown sites that they find somewhat attractive. "

This type of virus affects as a prioritarily computers of institutions or companies, both public and private. Its began in Russia, and in 2013 it expanded internationally.

'Wanna Cry' affects Microsoft's Windows system. It has infected computers in more than 150 countries whose computers did not have the latest updates. To decrypt the information hijacked and access to the system the virus demanded a payment of $ 300 dollars in bitcoins (type of cryptonnet, digital exchange medium), that equals $ 867,062 Colombian pesos.

Professor Sanabria shared some reasons why systems such as Windows are vulnerable:

1. Windows is the operating system that has the largest segment of the desktop market. This fact is attractive to "hackers" because they know that if they break the security of this system, the target audience of their attack will be very wide. Then, there is a large number of people in the world wanting to break Windows security.
2. A good chunk of Windows users have bad practices when using their computers. Users generally have full control over their system and can carry out risks such as installing unreliable software from untrusted websites, accessing web pages with material of dubious origin but that is attractive and from where a lot of malicious software is inoculated in our systems.
3. Avoid becoming a victim of a virus like this, ignoring spammed emails, containing attachments or suspicious links, and usually sent by emails that are not in your contact list. It is also important to keep all applications of the system up to date and back up the information.

Other recommendations Microsoft has made on its website are:

• Avoid visiting unsafe or unreliable sites.
• Do not click on suspicious links on websites, Facebook pages, Whatsapp and other applications.
• If you receive an email from a known person with a link, ask him before opening the link to confirm it. It is important to note that infected computers forward random emails to the contact list with the virus link.
• Fraudulent emails that use names similar to popular services like PayePal instead of PayPal or use popular service names.

In Colombia 10 companies, as well as an official entity, were confirmed victims of this online attack, besides regular people. This adds up to a total of 37 cases. Despite having been taking care of already, it’s important not to let our guard down and to be aware whenever we are online.