Cyber Attack Hits 200,000 People in 150 Countries, Says Europol
Reuters
Real journalism holds power accountable
Since 2015, The Wire has done just that.
But we can continue only with your support.
A hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. Credit: Reuters/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/Files
London: Friday's cyber attack hit 200,000 victims in at least 150 countries, the head of the EU's police agency said on Sunday, adding he feared that number would grow when people return to work on Monday.
Europol director Rob Wainwright told ITV's Peston on Sunday programme that what was unique about the attack was that the ransomware was used in combination with "a worm functionality" so the infection spread automatically.
"The global reach is unprecedented. The latest count is over 200,000 victims in at least 150 countries, and those victims, many of those will be businesses, including large corporations," he said.
"At the moment, we are in the face of an escalating threat. The numbers are going up, I am worried about how the numbers will continue to grow when people go to work and turn (on) their machines on Monday morning."
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.