Hackers Hit Dozens of Countries Exploiting Stolen N.S.A. Tool

NY Times ^ | May 12, 2017 | NICOLE PERLROTH and DAVID E. SANGER

[Innovative]

Hackers exploiting malicious software stolen from the National Security Agency executed damaging cyberattacks on Friday that hit dozens of countries worldwide, forcing Britain’s public health system to send patients away, freezing computers at Russia’s Interior Ministry and wreaking havoc on tens of thousands of computers elsewhere.

The attacks amounted to an audacious global blackmail attempt spread by the internet and underscored the vulnerabilities of the digital age.

Transmitted via email, the malicious software locked British hospitals out of their computer systems and demanded ransom before users could be let back in — with a threat that data would be destroyed if the demands were not met.

By late Friday the attacks had spread to more than 74 countries, according to security firms tracking the spread. Kaspersky Lab, a Russian cybersecurity firm, said Russia was the worst-hit, followed by Ukraine, India and Taiwan. Reports of attacks also came from Latin America and Africa.

[soycd]

>I got no reply to the second letter.

Until an example is made of the filth that copulates idiot device users, it will continue.

Some bad people just need to be dealt with.

[Dallas59]

Lesson 1:

Never open an email attachment.

[House Atreides]

I only took time to read the title but any countries exploiting stolen NSA tools deserve to be hit by hackers.

[FreedomOfExpression]

Correction: 3 later generations of operating systems after Windows XP. I didn’t count Windows 8 because of a mental block I guess.

[hopespringseternal]

Pretty much amounts to an act of war. These people should be taken down hard and publicly. After a could of these groups get taken out it will make this sort of thing far less likely.

[acapesket]

Eggsactly

[Innovative]

Sww also:

Major Cyberattack Sweeps Globe — 2nd Update

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/05/12/major-cyberattack-sweeps-globe-2nd-update.html

[Enchante]

good point, they had to drop XP support sometime.....

[acapesket]

WHO? in their right brain uses Windows?

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

It’s just Microsoft hacking old software to ensure future sales of new software.

[combat_boots]

Could this huge hack be the Clintons and the US Deep State getting rid of their $hit? Encrypt, enwrap and destroy?

[minnesota_bound]

My last Windows Update was Nov 15, 2016
Start button> Control Panel> Windows Update

I checked and there are 526.8mb more updates waiting for me.
How do we know these updates will block any of the gov’t spyware?
Maybe they open up your computer to the gov’t.

[bigbob]

People who aren’t smart enough to use Tor?

[Ambrosia]

No, an encrypted browser used by a lot of intel people to prevent knowledge that user is online. I am new to it, so not best one to describe how it functions.

[Concentrate]

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

I don’t have Win 10 yet because I’ve been waiting for 3rd party software to mitigate possible damage. Nonetheless, I’ve come across this free program, which may help Win 10 users.
Looks legit to me, but I can’t say I’ve used it. Good luck!

[Concentrate]

Do you think they should support operating systems for all time?

Yes, they should. How much effort would it take them to support XP? Or at least offer free upgrades to Win 7? Why not?

Microsoft is such a lazy company. I can't even believe that they released Windows 8.

Windows 8.1 was far superior, but why release such a crippling OS such as Win 8.0?

They obviously hadn't even tested the OS, or they would have found the glaring deficiencies in it.

So inept, it's really negligent. There really should be a class action lawsuit, IMO.

[taxcontrol]

Yeah, the patch has been out there a while. But architecturally speaking, security (esp in Windows OS) has been an after thought and a bolt on. It has not been designed into the system. So maintenance via patching has always been after the fact.

[coloradan]

#64,873 Ferengi Rules of Acquisition: Sell them bugs and then sell them the bug fixes. A software company that has made every computer user completely happy will never make another dime.

[minnesota_bound]

I received this email from Malwarebytes. I have their Premium version so I am protected from our gov’t : )

---

A massive ransomware attack spread across the globe today, locking up thousands of hospital, telecommunications, and utilities systems in nearly 100 countries. The attack used data stolen from the NSA to exploit vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows and deliver the WanaCrypt0r ransomware. The demand was for $300 per PC.

While the ransomware was first detected wreaking havoc in emergency rooms and doctors’ offices in the UK, the infection quickly spread worldwide, including to the US.

We’re alerting you to reassure you that if you’re currently using the premium version (or the premium trial) of Malwarebytes with real-time protection turned on, you are protected from this threat. Our premium technology blocks the WanaCrypt0r ransomware before it can encrypt your files. (The free version of Malwarebytes, however, does not protect you against WanaCrypt0r. To see which version you have, open up your Malwarebytes software and look for the version name at the top of the window.) Learn more about Malwarebytes

If you’re not currently using the premium version of Malwarebytes, we recommend that you update your Microsoft Windows software immediately. Microsoft released a patch for this vulnerability in March, but many users haven’t updated, leaving their computers open to this attack.

Here at Malwarebytes, we pledge to keep you protected and informed about the latest issues. Your peace of mind is our number one priority.

Sincerely,

The Malwarebytes team
P.S. Learn more about this threat here.

(I included the full link so you know it is legit)

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/cybercrime/2017/05/wanacrypt0r-ransomware-hits-it-big-just-before-the-weekend/?utm_source=outbreak&utm_medium=email-internal-b2c&utm_campaign=Wanacrypt0r&utm_content=wanacrypt0r-alert

[a fool in paradise]

Maybe this is how the Gub’mint plans to bring in funds... via ransomware.