Best practices for protecting against WannaCry ransomware
What is ransomware ? Malicious software that locks a device, such as a computer, tablet or smartphone and then demands a ransom to unlock it. The message that flashed up on hundreds of thousands of screens infected by the WannaCry virus over the last few days demanded payment of $300 (275 euros) in Bitcoin, saying: “Ooops, your files have been encrypted!” . It warned that if payment was not made within three days the price would double, and if none was received within seven days the locked files would be deleted. “ Bitcoin is digital cash. The transactions are totally anonymous and non-refundable. However, they are totally traceable. “All the transactions are stored in databases called blockchains. It’s anonymous but anyone can monitor a bitcoin address. “ Bitcoin doesn’t need a bank so this monetary flow escapes any supervision and any checks. The accounts don’t have a physical address or a bank address and they are not stored centrally anonymity comes before anythi...