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Assignment 1 Computer Security

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack exploited a Windows vulnerability, spreading rapidly and affecting over 200,000 computers globally, with significant impacts on healthcare, businesses, and government agencies. The attack highlighted the importance of patch management, backup planning, global collaboration, and network hygiene to prevent similar incidents. Estimated damages ranged from $4 billion to $8 billion, shaking public trust in digital systems.

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2 views3 pages

Assignment 1 Computer Security

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack exploited a Windows vulnerability, spreading rapidly and affecting over 200,000 computers globally, with significant impacts on healthcare, businesses, and government agencies. The attack highlighted the importance of patch management, backup planning, global collaboration, and network hygiene to prevent similar incidents. Estimated damages ranged from $4 billion to $8 billion, shaking public trust in digital systems.

Uploaded by

warrenleshan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

One of the most significant real-world cyberattacks was the 2017

WannaCry ransomware attack, which exploited a vulnerability in

Microsoft Windows and spread globally within hours, crippling hospitals,

businesses, and government agencies. It highlighted the devastating

impact of unpatched systems and the importance of coordinated

cybersecurity defense.

How the Attack Occurred

 Exploit Used: WannaCry leveraged a Windows vulnerability known

as EternalBlue, originally developed as a hacking tool by the U.S.

National Security Agency (NSA) and later leaked by a group called

Shadow Brokers.

 Propagation: Once inside a network, WannaCry spread

automatically to other vulnerable machines without requiring user

interaction.

 Payload: The ransomware encrypted files on infected computers

and demanded payment in Bitcoin to restore access.

 Scale: Within a single day, WannaCry infected over 200,000

computers across 150 countries, making it one of the fastest-

spreading cyberattacks in history.

Impact of the Attack

 Healthcare: The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) was hit

particularly hard. Hospitals had to cancel thousands of

appointments and surgeries, and emergency services were

disrupted.
 Business & Government: Companies like FedEx, Telefonica, and

Renault reported major outages. Government agencies in Russia

and China also faced disruptions.

 Financial Losses: Estimated damages ranged from $4 billion to $8

billion globally, including lost productivity, recovery costs, and

reputational damage.

 Public Trust: The attack exposed how critical infrastructure—like

healthcare—was vulnerable to cyber threats, shaking public

confidence in digital systems.

Lessons Learned

1. Patch Management is Critical

o Microsoft had released a patch for the EternalBlue

vulnerability months before the attack, but many

organizations failed to apply it. Regular updates are essential.

2. Backup and Recovery Planning

o Organizations with robust backup systems were able to

restore data without paying ransom. This reinforced the need

for disaster recovery strategies.

3. Global Collaboration

o Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. The WannaCry

outbreak showed that governments, tech companies, and

organizations must collaborate to share intelligence and

coordinate responses.

4. Segmentation and Network Hygiene


o The rapid spread was possible because networks lacked

proper segmentation. Isolating critical systems can prevent

malware from moving laterally.

5. Preparedness for Ransomware

o WannaCry was a wake-up call that ransomware is not just a

nuisance but a global threat capable of crippling essential

services.

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