# WannaCry Ransomware
WannaCry is a piece of ransomware that was first discovered in May 2017. It is believed to be the work of hackers from North Korea, though this has never been officially confirmed. The malware quickly spread worldwide and caused major disruption to businesses and institutions around the globe.
The way WannaCry works is by encrypting files on an infected computer or network with strong encryption algorithms, making them impossible to access without paying a ransom fee to the attackers. Once encrypted, victims are presented with a message asking for payment via Bitcoin in exchange for a decryption key that will allow them access back into their system. If no payment is made within 3 days then all files will become permanently locked.
Though not as common today due to increased security measures, there are still ways you can protect yourself against WannaCry attacks:
* Keep your operating system up-to-date – make sure you have installed all available updates and patches as they become available; this helps close any security gaps that could be exploited by malicious actors
* Use anti-virus software – ensure it’s up-to-date so it can detect known threats like WannaCry
* Back up important data regularly – if your computer does get hit by ransomware such as Wannacry, having backup copies of your data means you don’t have to pay ransom fees or risk losing irreplaceable information
* Be cautious when opening emails & attachments from unknown senders – clicking suspicious links/attachments may trigger an infection
* Educate employees about cyber security best practices – ensuring everyone knows what signs indicate potential danger (phishing emails etc.) can help reduce the chances of being attacked
