What can be learnt from the WannaCry exploit?

By Clook Internet

18 May 2017

By Jamie Hoyles, Clook Internet Account Manager

Last week, a global cyber attack affected hundreds of thousands of organisations in 150 countries. In the UK, the attack hit 47 NHS trusts, leading to operations being cancelled and patients turned away from A&E.

The exploit – WannaCry - has been labelled “the biggest ransomware outbreak in history.” Along with crippling the NHS, it has affected organsations around the world including French car manufacturers, Russian banks, and a Spanish telecoms operator. Security software company Kaspersky Lab has suggested that the WannaCry ransomware has snared more than 300,000 victims since it was unleashed on Friday morning.

It’s estimated that removal of the virus takes a couple of hours, that’s 600,000 hours (albeit that large corporations can remove the virus from multiple machines at the same time) to remove a virus that could have been prevented in the first place.

What was the attack and how does it work?

WannaCry was delivered via phishing emails, cleverly disguised and worded in order to trick the recipient into opening attachments which then released the malware onto their system.

Once installed, the malicious code is able to gain control of the host machine and it locks files and encrypts them in a way that they can no longer be accessed. A window is then displayed, demanding payment in bitcoin in order to regain access.

My machine has WannaCry, what are my options?

Unfortunately even if the payment is made, there is no guarantee that the malicious code will be removed.

There are various guides online that discuss the steps required to remove the malicious code, however ultimately they all involve the removal of the files that have been encrypted and so data is irretrievable.

Why was WannaCry preventable?

A hugely frustrating aspect about the WannaCry outbreak is that it was all largely preventable. Microsoft released a security patch in March which if implemented would have avoided the malware taking hold. This is unless you are a Windows XP user who did not have this update available.

The moral of the story?

Vulnerabilities in software are discovered on a daily basis and updates are released in order to patch the insecure elements of code. The sad part is that these updates are often ignored by end users, either because they don’t have the time to restart their machine, or perhaps they’re worried that updating a particular application’s code will break their site, resulting in lost time whilst they re-code elements of their site. WannaCry is a warning as to what can happen if software is not kept up to date, 600,000 hours (the estimated time taken to clean all the globally infected machines) is a lot of time wasted and money lost. If there is an available update for any software that you use, I’d recommend you think about the consequences of not installing it, rather than the effects of installing it.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Clook Internet

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin