How a security researcher miraculously and accidentally killed the ‘WannaCry’ ransomware

[Guest Yoni Heisler]

The massive ransomware hack targeting Windows machines across the globe was stopped dead in its tracks by a security expert who inadvertently activated a "kill switch" built into the malware's code. The ransomware, dubbed "WannaCry", made headlines on Friday after infecting computers in nearly 100 countries across the world, with Russia and England reportedly seeing the highest number of infections. The ransomware effectively locks users out of their machines, encrypts their files, and instructs them to send $300 worth of Bitcoin in order to reclaim them. The ransomware also states that the $300 payout will increase if a prompt payment isn't made.

 

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