Important Steps to Prepare for the WannaCry Ransomware Attack
By Ted Claypoole, Allen O'Rourke & Claire Rauscher
Your business may have been victim to the latest ransomware attack, or it may be caught in the next wave. Womble Carlyle can help manage the attack and can prepare you to beat the next one.
In May 12, 2017, the “WannaCry” ransomware attack compromised over 70,000 organizations in nearly 100 countries. The attack encrypted people’s computer files – making them inaccessible – and demanded a ransom of about $300 worth of Bitcoin to release them. The malicious software exploited a known vulnerability in Windows that Microsoft had patched two months ago. Microsoft has also issued emergency patches for unsupported, outdated versions of Windows.
If your organization runs Windows, it is important to make sure that all appropriate patches have been installed. Another important step is to create backups of your computer files that can be used in the event that your system becomes encrypted by ransomware.
Finally, if you do not have one already, this would be a good time to develop a cybersecurity incident response plan.
Womble Carlyle’s Cyber & Privacy Law attorneys are poised to help clients develop such incident response plans, implement cybersecurity preparedness measures, and respond to any incidents that may occur.
Your business may have been victim to the latest ransomware attack, or it may be caught in the next wave. Womble Carlyle can help manage the attack and can prepare you to beat the next one.
In May 12, 2017, the “WannaCry” ransomware attack compromised over 70,000 organizations in nearly 100 countries. The attack encrypted people’s computer files – making them inaccessible – and demanded a ransom of about $300 worth of Bitcoin to release them. The malicious software exploited a known vulnerability in Windows that Microsoft had patched two months ago. Microsoft has also issued emergency patches for unsupported, outdated versions of Windows.
If your organization runs Windows, it is important to make sure that all appropriate patches have been installed. Another important step is to create backups of your computer files that can be used in the event that your system becomes encrypted by ransomware.
Finally, if you do not have one already, this would be a good time to develop a cybersecurity incident response plan.
Womble Carlyle’s Cyber & Privacy Law attorneys are poised to help clients develop such incident response plans, implement cybersecurity preparedness measures, and respond to any incidents that may occur.
