Global ransomware attack hits third Hong Kong system
Experts warn Hongkongers to take preventative measures as ‘WannaCry’ cyberattack affects more than 100,000 computers worldwide
A global cyberattack has claimed at least one more victim in Hong Kong, bringing the total to three reported cases as people returned to work on Monday morning.
The malware spread to three individuals in Hong Kong who had not installed the latest security updates on their Windows 7 operating systems and were directly connected to the internet, according to the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team (HKCERT), which handles cybersecurity incidents in the city.
Globally, WannaCry has affected more than 100,000 PCs since Friday and hit public institutions and corporations, including Britain’s National Health Service, Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica, and schools and universities on the mainland.
“This malware is different from previous ones where users got hacked only if they downloaded a file in an email or clicked on a link. [WannaCry] requires no active action at all, which makes it much more intrusive,” said HKCERT’s Leung Siu-cheong, who specialises in cybersecurity.