A global cyber-attack has been leaked online by a group called the Shadow Brokers using hacking tools believed to have been developed by the US National Security Agency (NSA). This attack has infected millions of computers in nearly 100 countries, and is believed to be the biggest cybersecurity attacks in recent history.
Cyber security experts said that the malicious software targeted a specific vulnerability in Microsoft software that NSA has identified for its own use in survelliance.
Cyber-extortionists sent a malicious malware attachments through emails which contain invoices, job offers, security warnings, and other legitimate files.
Companies and organizations around the world recieved a threat from the hackers to pay $300 or more in ransome, if they don't then their computers will be disabled.
Security researchers at Avast said that more than 75,000 computers in 99 countries has been infected by this, and the worst affected are Britain, Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
Hospitals and clinics in Britain has faced the most disruption as they were forced were forced to turn away patients after losing access to computers.
"We are experiencing a major IT disruption and there are delays at all of our hospitals," said the Barts Health group.
However, Microsoft released a security updates to Windows and guidelines for consumers and businesses to protect themselves.
Cyber security experts said that the malicious software targeted a specific vulnerability in Microsoft software that NSA has identified for its own use in survelliance.
Cyber-extortionists sent a malicious malware attachments through emails which contain invoices, job offers, security warnings, and other legitimate files.
Companies and organizations around the world recieved a threat from the hackers to pay $300 or more in ransome, if they don't then their computers will be disabled.
Security researchers at Avast said that more than 75,000 computers in 99 countries has been infected by this, and the worst affected are Britain, Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
Hospitals and clinics in Britain has faced the most disruption as they were forced were forced to turn away patients after losing access to computers.
"We are experiencing a major IT disruption and there are delays at all of our hospitals," said the Barts Health group.
However, Microsoft released a security updates to Windows and guidelines for consumers and businesses to protect themselves.