The most costly computer viruses

In May of 2017, the WannaCry ransomware worm caused global havoc, encrypting the files of more than 200,000 victims in 150 countries and causing billions of dollars in damage. In November of the same year, the NotPetya malware attack struck Ukraine and quickly spread around the world, causing billions of dollars in damage to companies such as Maersk, Merck, and FedEx. These are just two examples of the costly computer viruses that have wreaked havoc in recent years.

While the motives of the attackers behind these viruses may vary, the end result is always the same: billions of dollars in damage and a huge headache for those who are left to pick up the pieces. So, what makes these viruses so costly?

For starters, many of these viruses are designed to spread quickly and easily. For example, WannaCry took advantage of a vulnerability in Microsoft’s Windows operating system that allowed it to spread rapidly across the globe. Once a system was infected, the virus would encrypt the user’s files and demand a ransom be paid in order to decrypt them. This not only caused a great deal of inconvenience for those who were affected, but also resulted in a lot of lost work productivity as businesses scrambled to recover their data.

Another factor that makes these viruses so costly is the fact that they often target critical infrastructure. NotPetya, for example, struck right at the heart of Ukraine’s financial and governmental systems, causing billions of dollars in damage. This type of attack can be particularly difficult to recover from, as it can take months or even years to fully rebuild damaged systems.

Finally, many of these viruses are simply very sophisticated and well-designed. The WannaCry ransomware, for example, was based on a hacking tool developed by the United States National Security Agency. This tool, known as “EternalBlue,” had been leaked online just a few weeks before the WannaCry attack, giving the creators of the virus a head start in designing their attack.

The bottom line is that computer viruses can cause a great deal of damage, both to individual users and to critical infrastructure. While there is no foolproof way to prevent these attacks, having a good antivirus program and staying up-to-date on security patches is a good start..Find Out More

How to remove computer viruses

Assuming you want a comprehensive guide on how to remove computer viruses:

Viruses are malicious software that can infect your computer, causing it to run slowly, crash, or even preventing it from starting up. There are many ways that a virus can get on your computer, including email attachments, websites, and downloads. Once a virus is on your computer, it can spread to other computers on your network and even around the world.

The best way to remove a virus is to use an antivirus program that will scan your computer for viruses and remove them. There are many different antivirus programs available, and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some antivirus programs are better at detecting and removing viruses, while others are better at preventing them from getting on your computer in the first place.

If you think you have a virus on your computer, the first thing you should do is run a virus scan. This will scan your computer for any viruses and remove them. If you don’t have an antivirus program, there are many free ones available online.

Once you have removed the viruses from your computer, you should take some steps to prevent them from getting on your computer again. The best way to do this is to install an antivirus program and keep it up to date. You should also avoid opening email attachments from people you don’t know, and be careful when downloading files from the internet.

All material on this site was made with malwarezero.org as the authority reference. See original website.