What is WannaCry?

WannaCry is a ransomware virus that uses the EternalBlue exploit to infect Microsoft Windows computers. Once it enters the target system, it quickly encrypts all files and adds the following extensions: wcry, wncryt, and wncry. After encrypting the files using very strong encryption algorithms, the virus leaves a ransom note on the desktop titled “Please Read Me!.txt” and runs an application called “Wanna Decrypt0r”. It rushes the victim to pay the Bitcoin ransom, threatening to delete the files within 7 days.

Wannacry, which began spreading in early 2017, has compromised over 300,000 computers in more than 150 countries, according to the latest statement from Europol, the European Police Office. In today's technology, if someone can access programs on your computer without your permission, that computer and system no longer belong to you. Security attempts by administrators are ineffective. Systems are only as secure as their users.

Wannacry was released in 2017;

- In Russia, the list of victims is extensive, ranging from banks and ministries to the state-owned railway company and the country's second-largest telecommunications network.
- In England and Scotland, the National Health System (NHS) is reported to have collapsed. At least 33 healthcare facilities, including some family doctor clinics, have been affected by the attack, and some hospitals are unable to perform surgeries or accept patients except in emergencies.
- In Spain, telecommunications company Telefonica, energy company Iberdrola and public utility company Gas Natural;
- Ticket machines at local train stations in Germany;
- A computer lab at a university in Italy;
- In France, Renault, and also its Renault Bursa factory, had to halt production for 24 hours.
- In the US, FedEx is among the locations affected by WannaCry.
China has not yet made an official statement regarding the virus, but according to social media posts, a university's computer lab has been affected.

- Finally, on March 29, 2018, Boeing admitted that its production facility was attacked by WannaCry and that production was disrupted while it improved its systems.

If a system has a security vulnerability, it will inevitably be exploited someday. If it hasn't been exploited yet, it's not your turn. Get professional help and have your systems checked with security testing before it's too late.