Cyber Security: WannaCry Ransomware Attack Discussion 2022

Running head: CYBER SECURITY
Cyber Security: WannaCry Ransomware Attack
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CYBER SECURITY
Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................2
2. Discussion..............................................................................................................................2
2.1 Occurrence of the WannaCry Ransomware Attack.........................................................2
2.2 Modus Operandi of the Attacker......................................................................................4
3. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................8

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CYBER SECURITY
1. Introduction
Computer or cyber security could be referred to as proper protection or security of the
inter-linked systems, which include software, confidential data and even hardware from any
kind of cyber-attack (Von Solms & Van Niekerk, 2013). For the computing context, this type
of security consists of physical security as well as cyber security.
Both of these are being utilized by the enterprises for the core purpose of protecting
against all types of the unauthorized as well as unauthenticated accessing towards the data
centres as well as any other computerized system (Wang & Lu, 2013). This following report
will be outlining a brief discussion on the popular data breach of WannaCry ransomware
attack that took place in the year of 2017 and more than 300000 computers were infected.
2. Discussion
2.1 Occurrence of the WannaCry Ransomware Attack
This Wanna Cry ransom ware attack was one of the popular attacks that took place in
May of 2017 with the help of the most popular ransom ware crypto worm, called WannaCry.
The duration continued for 4 days. This particular worm targeted several systems, which
were running the OS for Microsoft Windows after data encryption as well as wanting
subsequent ransom as a demand (WannaCry Ransomware. 2017).
The attackers demanded ransom payment in the crypto currency of Bitcoin. The
WannaCry ransomware attack eventually propagated via Eternal Blue, which is an exploit
that was being developed by the United States NSA or National Security Agency towards
every old system of Microsoft Windows. Eternal Blue was being stolen as well as leaked by
the attackers’ group, who referred to them as The Shadow Brokers, only some months earlier
than the attack.