Understanding Cyberattacks from WannaCrypt

Cyberattacks are growing more sophisticated, and more common, with every passing day. They present a continuous risk to the security of necessary data, and create an added layer of complication for technology solution providers and in-house IT departments trying to keep their clients’ systems safe and functional. Despite industry efforts and innovations, the world was exposed to this year’s latest cyberattack with ‘WannaCrypt’ on Friday morning.

The attacked—stemming from “WannaCrypt” software—started in United Kingdom and Spain, and quickly spread globally, encrypting endpoint data and requiring a ransom to be paid using Bitcoin to regain access to the data. WannaCrypt exploits used in the attack were derived from the exploits stolen in an attack on the National Security Agency earlier this year.

On March 14, Microsoft® released a security update to patch this vulnerability and protect customers from this quickly spreading cyberattack. While this protected newer Windows™ systems and computers that had enabled Windows to apply this latest update, many computers remained unpatched globally. Hospitals, businesses, governments, and home computers were affected. Microsoft took additional steps to assist users with older systems that are no longer supported.

Our goal at Netcal is to provide partners with the tools they need to support their clients and prevent these kinds of attacks from happening.

See how our vendors are addressing the latest attack:

-> Bitdefender
-> ESET
-> Webroot
-> Malwarebytes
-> VIPRE
-> Acronis
-> StorageCraft