RANSOMWARE CRIPPLES FIRMS

WHAT IS IT?

Ransomware known as Goldeneye and Petya rushed through international computer networks in the early hours of yesterday, crippling computers as well as the files on them. And they warned there was “no way” victims would get their files back, even if they paid ransoms. The latest virus freezes computers until users pay.

WHO WAS HIT?

Europe was hardest hit with banks, power grids, airports, shipping companies, supermarkets and even Chernobyl’s radiation monitoring system affected. Australian businesses were caught up including Cadbury’s chocolate factory, transport firm TNT Express, law firm DLA Piper and local offices of British advertising firm WPP.

WHAT THEY WANTED

The criminals behind Goldeneye demanded $394 worth of Bitcoin from victims to retrieve their stolen data.

HOW TO PROTECT DATA

Always update: Keep your software, including your operating system, up to date with the latest antivirus patches. Keep a copy: Back-up your important files to an external source, whether that’s a hard drive or a cloud service.

Be sceptical: Only open email attachments when you know their source and their content.

Go it alone: Avoid connecting your computer to a larger network during a ransomware outbreak.

Hire protection: Many antivirus firms updated their software to detect Petya shortly after its arrival.