The world stood still on Friday as a flare-up PC programming ("ransomware") disabled medical facilities and other business then asked for a ransom payment. Britain was compelled to reroute ambulances, postponed surgeries and shut down its entire operation because staffs could not access critical files.
The programming bug deformed the world and triggered a worldwide emergency. Several sources are saying that it has fermented for a considerable period before it was unleashed on 99 countries. However, while many companies did not pay the ransom demand, it is now going to cost these organizations a huge amount to perform costly upgrades.
And now the unsettling response is for private companies, tech giants and government facilities to implement programs that can handle another massive virus attack.
The WannaCry virus was first detected in February and in March, Microsoft quickly installed spyware that fixed 80 percent of desktops around the world. However, 20 percent remained vulnerable to virus attacks. Reportedly, the Shadow Brokers responsible for the attack stole devices from the National Security Agency to carry out the hack.
Microsoft and Cisco were warned of security hack
Reportedly, the agency warned Microsoft and Cisco to protect their systems from virus vulnerabilities. A patch was developed by Microsoft to protect its customers, who was given the assurance that once the security patch was applied, it would protect their computers.
Shortly after the upgrade, the "Shadow Brokers" discharged the virus that exploited vulnerabilities found in the patches installed by Microsoft.
Additionally, several sources said the virus easily penetrated the older Microsoft framework, they were not protected by the patch. According to official reports, many customers decided to opt out of purchasing the expensive customized solution that Microsoft were forcing its clients to purchase.
Microsoft forced clients to pay for expensive support?
Britain's National Health Service provides medical services to over 50 million people. It was reported that these health care facilities still used Windows XP and had opted out of purchasing the extended Technical Support from Microsoft. They along with many other Microsoft's clients were neglected as the monstrous "ransomware" left the world at a standstill on May 12.
Medical facilities, media companies and other businesses were victims of the WannaCry attack. Spain, Russia, USA, the United Kingdom were just a few of the 99 countries that were affected by the menacing spyware. Several critics allege that if the tech giant had offered the spyware blocking software free of charge or a more affordable extended technical support, then the "ransomware" virus would not have crippled over 200,000 computers of organizations in 99 countries.
