WannaCry ransomeware threat: Agencies on alert in Himachal Pradesh

The country’s cyber security agency Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) had earlier issued a red-coloured ‘critical alert’ in connection with the WannaCry attack, and warned users to not pay the ransom.

Even as the world is facing the brunt of WannaCry ransomeware attack, Himachal Pradesh is so far ‘protected’ from the deadly malware.

A screenshot shows a WannaCry ransomware demand, provided by cyber security firm Symantec. ((REUTERS))

National Informatics Centre (NIC), Shimla, on Saturday had issued advisory to all government offices, universities, hospitals and technical institution to update their patches and block ports. NIC is monitoring more than 100 websites of state departments, institutions and colleges.

The country’s cyber security agency Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) had earlier issued a red-coloured ‘critical alert’ in connection with the WannaCry attack, and warned users to not pay the ransom.

On the impact of malware in the state, superintendent of police (cyber crime wing) Sandeep Dhawal said, “So far no case has been reported but still we are on alert.”

Senior technical director and state informatics officer Ajay Singh Chahal said no websites in Himachal have been affected from WannaCry ransomeware. “We had issued advisory to all government office on Saturday. Since it was holiday, most of computers were shut,” he said.

He said offices have been asked initiate protective measures to counter the malware but pointed out that old Microsoft operated systems are more vulnerable to the malware.