More Victims Expected in Worldwide Cyberattack

More Victims Expected in Worldwide Cyber Attack

Cybersecurity experts expect there will be more people falling victim to the worldwide cyberattack that hit on Friday.

An unprecedented global ransomware attack that hit at least 100,000 organizations in 150 countries is expected to spread to thousands of more computers as people return to work on Monday and log in for the first time since the massive online attack began.

The attack, believed to have begun on Friday, is the biggest online extortion attack ever recorded, spreading across the world and inciting panic as it rendered computers useless, including the technology needed to run Britain’s hospital network, Germany’s national railway and scores of others companies, factories and government agencies.

A BBC analysis determined that about $38,000 had already been paid to those behind the attacks, and expects those numbers to go up as users log on Monday and those already infected give into the demands of the hackers.

The hackers pulled of the attack by emailing malware called “WannaCry,” allegedly stolen from the National Security Agency. It only affects Microsoft Windows systems. Once WannaCry enters a PC, it locks all the files it finds while the hackers ask users to pay to unlock them.

The United States wasn’t as badly hit has other countries because a cybersecurity expert was able to slow the spread of the malware before it could do much damage.

If you’re logging into a PC this morning, make sure your tech is updated. Microsoft was quick to send out a security patch for the vulnerability.

Featured

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”