Advertisement
Cybersecurity
Hong KongEducation

How a Hong Kong group seeks to help city fight cyberattacks

Details on new website and Facebook page are available to users, following ransomware wave in May

2-MIN READ2-MIN
Last year, there were 309 incidents of ransomware attacks in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP/ Damien Meyer
Harminder Singh

An increasing threat of cyberattacks in Hong Kong has prompted a government-backed body to provide free tools and resources to help businesses and the public guard against ransomware.

The Productivity Council’s Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), together with major international IT and cybersecurity companies, recently rolled out free real-time anti-malware programs and tools on a new website and Facebook page.

The information includes links to free computer programs, reports on latest attacks, and free webinars. Details on other seminars hosted by various IT companies to combat ransomware are also available.

Tens of thousands of Chinese firms, institutes affected in WannaCry global cyberattack

Ransomware is a form of malware that allows hackers to encrypt files after unsuspecting users install malicious software on their devices by downloading and opening infected files or apps.

Advertisement
Victims are then forced to pay cash or bitcoin ransoms to unlock the files or have them returned. Bitcoin is a form of digital currency.
Prompt dissemination of ransomware intelligence and security advice can go a long way
Wilson Wong, Productivity Council

“As shown in the WannaCry ransomware attack in May this year, prompt dissemination of ransomware intelligence and security advice can go a long way to minimise the adverse impact of such attacks,” council general manager Wilson Wong said.

Advertisement
According to HKCERT, the malware was particularly intrusive as it required no action on the part of users. WannaCry actively scanned the internet for users who did not have the latest security updates on their computers.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x