WannaCry Ransomware Due to NSA Cyber Weapons Development
Governments around the world develop hacking tools to penetrate security systems that aren't their own. This has led to the militarization of cyberspace.
In the news is WannaCry, a ransomware that has infected thousands of Windows operating systems due to the exploit developed by the NSA. The NSA discovered a vulnerability in Microsoft servers which WannaCry takes advantage of.
In case you don't know, which I didn't either, ransomware covertly installs malware on a device, be it a computer for smart phone that holds data hostage through cryptovirology, threatening to release it unless a ransom is paid. The message is displayed requesting payment to unlock the data. In some cases the malware makes the data inaccessible for the victim of the attack and forces you to pay in order to decrypt your own files.
The WannaCry attacks started on Friday, with reports of banks and hospitals being targeted. The NSA is being admonished for their irresponsibility in being able to control the hacking tool they develop.
Many organizations are now paying the price for the intelligence agencies' mistakes, leaving crucial infrastructure vulnerable. They claim these hacking tools are legitimate, calling them 'equipment interference' tools.
Here are some links about this recent news story:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/nhs-cyber-attack-ransomware-wannacry-accidentally-discovers-kill-switch-domain-name-gwea-a7733866.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/ransomware-avoid-170513041345145.html
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-security-hospitals-ransomware-idUKKBN1882NV
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/what-wanna-decryptor-look-ransomware-10410236