TTD, Andhra secretariat hit by ‘WannaCry’ ransomware attack

The malicious “WannaCry” ransomware virus, which has paralysed computers across the world, has also hit the systems at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), one of the richest Hindu shrines in the world.

The breach took place on Wednesday.

According to official sources, as many as 30 computer systems were found to be affected by the virus. “However, all these systems belong to the administration wing of TTD and were attended to by the engineers of the IT department immediately,” TTD official spokesman T Ravi told Hindustan Times.

He said there was no impact on the hardware or software related to the pilgrim services of the TTD, including online bookings. “IT experts ensured that none of the systems pertaining to pilgrim services were affected. Even those systems affected in the administration wing were old and there was a back-up data. By evening, the experts could isolate these systems and retrieve the data,” Ravi said.

Meanwhile, there were reports that at least 20 computer systems in Andhra Pradesh secretariat in Amaravati were affected by the ransomware attack. Blocks 4 and 5, mostly in the Revenue department, were hit by the virus on Wednesday.

However, the IT department staff swung into action and managed to save the data. They could retrieve the lost data and clear the virus. Wherever necessary, new hard disks would be installed, sources said.

The IT department was also briefing officials of various departments on protective steps.

AT LEAST 20 COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN ANDHRA PRADESH SECRETARIAT IN AMARAVATI WERE AFFECTED