Cyber attack alert! Malware 'Wannacry' is spreading: Know all about it

Nearly hundred countries, including India, have been hit by a massive cyber-attack

 

 

Nearly 100 countries, including India, have been hit by a massive cyber-attack, which, according to experts, was carried out with the help of “cyber weapons” stolen from the US’ National Security Agency. The cyber attack was first reported from Sweden, Britain and France, US media outlets reported. Cyber extortionists tricked victims into opening malicious malware attachments to spam emails that appeared to contain invoices, job offers, security warnings and other legitimate files.It has been reported that a new ransomware, “Wannacry”, is spreading widely. Wannacry encrypts the files on infected Windows systems. This ransomware spreads by using a vulnerability in implementations of Server Message Block (SMB) in Windows systems. This exploit is named

 

According to cyberswachhtakendra, the file extensions that malware ‘Wannacry’ is targeting contain certain clusters of formats like:

 

Commonly used office file extensions (.ppt, .doc, .docx, .xlsx, .sxi).

Less common and nation-specific office formats (.sxw, .odt, .hwp).

Archives, media files (.zip, .rar, .tar, .bz2, .mp4, .mkv)

Emails and email databases (.eml, .msg, .ost, .pst, .edb).

Database files (.sql, .accdb, .mdb, .dbf, .odb, .myd).

Developers’ sourcecode and project files (.php, .java, .cpp, .pas, .asm).

Graphic designers, artists and photographers files (.vsd, .odg, .raw, .nef, .svg, .psd).

Encryption keys and certificates (.key, .pfx, .pem, .p12, .csr, .gpg, .aes).

Virtual machine files (.vmx, .vmdk, .vdi).After infecting, this Wannacry ransomware displays following screen on infected system:

 

Ransomware is writing itself into a random character folder in the ‘ProgramData’ folder with the file name of “tasksche.exe” or in ‘C:\Windows\’ folder with the file-name “mssecsvc.exe” and “tasksche.exe”.

Ransomware is granting full access to all files by using the command:
Icacls . /grant Everyone:F /T /C /Q

Using a batch script for operations:
176641494574290.bat

 

It also drops a file named !Please Read Me!.txt which contains the text explaining what has happened and how to pay the ransom.(READ MORE)

IoT to overtake mobiles by 2018: Report

IoT to overtake mobiles by 2018: Report

The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to overtake mobile phones as the largest category of connected device by 2018, according to the latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report.

Between 2015 and 2021, the number of IoT connected devices is expected to grow 23 per cent annually, of which cellular IoT is forecast to have the highest growth rate. Of the 28 billion total devices that will be connected by 2021, nearly 16 bn will be IoT devices.

Western Europe will lead the way in adding IoT connections. The number of IoT devices in this market is projected to grow 400 per cent by 2021. This will principally be driven by regulatory requirements. The report said mobile data traffic in India would grow 15 times by 2021. India expanded the most in terms of net addition during the first quarter of 2016 (calendar year), adding 21 million, followed by Myanmar (5 mn) and Indonesia (5 mn).

For example, for intelligent utility meters, and a growing demand for connected cars including the European Union’s e-call directive to be implemented in 2018. E-call is an automatic emergency call system for motor vehicles.

Rima Qureshi, senior vice-president and chief strategy officer, Ericsson, says: “IoT is now accelerating as device costs fall and innovative applications emerge. From 2020, commercial deployment of 5G networks will provide additional capabilities that are critical for IoT, such as network slicing and the capacity to connect exponentially more devices than is possible today.”Read more.

More Technology News.

AIADMK vows free mobiles, laptops with internet, free electricity in manifesto

AIADMK vows free mobiles, laptops with internet, free electricity in manifesto

The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has announced several freebies to voters in Tamil Nadu if re-elected. These include free mobile phones, free laptops, along with internet and free electricty.

This time, other political parties including the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have refrained from offering major free schemes in their election manifesto.

The AIADMK’s, issued on Thursday by its head and state chief minister, J Jayalalithaa (pictured), promises all ration card holders will get mobile phones free of cost. A free set-top box will be provided to all Arasu Cable TV subscribers. Free internet and up to 100 units of electricity free of cost, in effect exempting close to eight million consumers from paying power bills. Also, a Rs 500 gift coupon to all ration card holders during the Pongal festival. And, continuation of the earlier free laptop and free internet scheme for students. Read More

Identity theft tops list of frauds, says Experian

Identity theft is the main reason for fraudulent transactions in the financial sector, says a report launched by Experian India.

“In India, identity theft accounts for 77 per cent of the Fraud Cases in Q1 2015. Among various financial products, auto loans, mortgage loans and credit cards have seen the largest number of fraud cases,” added the report.

Vodafone launches 4G in Mumbai on 1,800 MHz

Vodafone, country's second largest telecom operator, launched its fourth generation broadband services in Mumbai. The service was unveiled by chief minister Devendra Phadnavis, a Vodafone customer himself. The company launches its services months after Bharti Airtellaunched its 4G services across 300 towns in India.

At the launch, Chief Minister Phadnavis said mobile was a key aspect of its JAM trinity (Jandhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) which was transforming governance. He said that he would have liked if Vodafone had launched 4G in Mumbai first as it was the commercial capital of the country.

Ambani brothers sign trading, spectrum-sharing pacts

Ahead of the commercial launch of Reliance Jio (RJio) services in April, the Ambani brothers on Monday inked the spectrum trading and sharing agreements for 800-850 MHz spectrum, which will give RJio an edge over the competition.

The deal assumes importance as it will give RJio a pan-India 4G network on 800-850 MHz frequency along with 2,300 MHz it already owns. The lower frequency offers better indoor coverage and provides seamless voice services through Voice over LTE (VoLTE). RJio has already soft-launched its 4G services.