This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39915440
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ransomware cyber-attack a wake-up call, Microsoft warns | Ransomware cyber-attack a wake-up call, Microsoft warns |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Cyber-attacks that have hit 150 countries since Friday should be treated by governments around the world as a "wake-up call", Microsoft says. | Cyber-attacks that have hit 150 countries since Friday should be treated by governments around the world as a "wake-up call", Microsoft says. |
| The computing giant said software vulnerabilities hoarded by governments have caused "widespread damage". | The computing giant said software vulnerabilities hoarded by governments have caused "widespread damage". |
| The latest virus exploits a flaw in Microsoft Windows first identified by US intelligence. | The latest virus exploits a flaw in Microsoft Windows first identified by US intelligence. |
| There are fears of further "ransomware" attacks as people return to work on Monday. | There are fears of further "ransomware" attacks as people return to work on Monday. |
| Many firms have had experts work over the weekend to prevent new infections. The virus took control of users' files, demanding payments to restore access. | Many firms have had experts work over the weekend to prevent new infections. The virus took control of users' files, demanding payments to restore access. |
| The spread of the virus slowed over the weekend but the respite might only be brief, experts have warned. More than 200,000 computers have been affected so far. | The spread of the virus slowed over the weekend but the respite might only be brief, experts have warned. More than 200,000 computers have been affected so far. |
| A statement from Microsoft president and chief legal officer Brad Smith on Sunday criticised the way governments store up information about security flaws in computer systems. | |
| "We have seen vulnerabilities stored by the CIA show up on WikiLeaks, and now this vulnerability stolen from the NSA has affected customers around the world," he wrote. | "We have seen vulnerabilities stored by the CIA show up on WikiLeaks, and now this vulnerability stolen from the NSA has affected customers around the world," he wrote. |
| "An equivalent scenario with conventional weapons would be the US military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen." | "An equivalent scenario with conventional weapons would be the US military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen." |
| He added: "The governments of the world should treat this attack as a wake-up call." | He added: "The governments of the world should treat this attack as a wake-up call." |
| Microsoft said it had released a Windows security update in March to tackle the problem involved in the latest attack, but many users were yet to run it. | Microsoft said it had released a Windows security update in March to tackle the problem involved in the latest attack, but many users were yet to run it. |
| "As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, there is simply no way for customers to protect themselves against threats unless they update their systems," Mr Smith said. | "As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, there is simply no way for customers to protect themselves against threats unless they update their systems," Mr Smith said. |
| Temporary fix | Temporary fix |
| Meanwhile Europol's chief told the BBC that that the ransomware was designed to allow "infection of one computer to quickly spread across the networks", adding: "That's why we're seeing these numbers increasing all the time." | Meanwhile Europol's chief told the BBC that that the ransomware was designed to allow "infection of one computer to quickly spread across the networks", adding: "That's why we're seeing these numbers increasing all the time." |
| Although a temporary fix earlier slowed the infection rate, the attackers had now released a new version of the virus, he said. | Although a temporary fix earlier slowed the infection rate, the attackers had now released a new version of the virus, he said. |
| A UK security researcher known as "MalwareTech", who helped to limit the ransomware attack, predicted "another one coming... quite likely on Monday". | A UK security researcher known as "MalwareTech", who helped to limit the ransomware attack, predicted "another one coming... quite likely on Monday". |
| MalwareTech, who wants to remain anonymous, was hailed as an "accidental hero" after registering a domain name to track the spread of the virus, which actually ended up halting it. | MalwareTech, who wants to remain anonymous, was hailed as an "accidental hero" after registering a domain name to track the spread of the virus, which actually ended up halting it. |
| Becky Pinkard, from Digital Shadows, a UK-based cyber-security firm, told AFP news agency that it would be easy for the initial attackers or "copy-cat authors" to change the virus code so it is difficult to guard against. | Becky Pinkard, from Digital Shadows, a UK-based cyber-security firm, told AFP news agency that it would be easy for the initial attackers or "copy-cat authors" to change the virus code so it is difficult to guard against. |
| "Even if a fresh attack does not materialise on Monday, we should expect it soon afterwards," she said. | "Even if a fresh attack does not materialise on Monday, we should expect it soon afterwards," she said. |
| In England, 48 National Health Service (NHS) trusts reported problems at hospitals, doctor surgeries or pharmacies, and 13 NHS organisations in Scotland were also affected. | In England, 48 National Health Service (NHS) trusts reported problems at hospitals, doctor surgeries or pharmacies, and 13 NHS organisations in Scotland were also affected. |
| Other organisations targeted worldwide included Germany's rail network Deutsche Bahn, Spanish telecommunications operator Telefonica, French carmaker Renault, US logistics giant FedEx and Russia's Interior Ministry. | Other organisations targeted worldwide included Germany's rail network Deutsche Bahn, Spanish telecommunications operator Telefonica, French carmaker Renault, US logistics giant FedEx and Russia's Interior Ministry. |