Virus attacks 150 computers in Mantralaya

MUMBAI: Locky ransomware, a malicious software which blocks access to computers, attacked about 150 computers in Mantralaya on May 15, encrypting important files

MUMBAI: Locky ransomware, a malicious software which blocks access to computers, attacked about 150 computers in Mantralaya on May 15, encrypting important files from the Public Works Department and the Revenue department.

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The information technology department isolated the systems to avert further damage to the government’s e-governance platform.

“The virus reportedly damaged about two lakh systems in Germany and the United States in the last two years,” said an official from the IT department, adding that Locky targets the systems of multinationals with the intention of demanding money for decrypting the ransomware.

“We were surprised as to why government systems were targeted as the hackers would not gain anything,” he said.

Officials said no financial or software damage was caused. “We safeguarded our data by saving it in the Central console in a remote place. It can be easily recovered. We have installed powerful antiviruses,” said Vijay Kumar, principal secretary, department of Information and Technology.