Major attacks
- 1971Creeper, an experimental program with the message “Catch me if you can”
- 1988The Morris worm crippled thousands of computers
- 2000ILOVEYOU spread by email disguised as a love letter
- 2010Stuxnet damaged centrifuges in Iran's nuclear programme
- 2017WannaCry encrypted computers in hospitals and companies around the world
Ransomware
An attacker gets into the network, encrypts the files and demands a ransom. Often they first steal the data too and threaten to publish it. The best defence is backups the attacker cannot delete, and up-to-date systems.
How to protect yourself
- Update your system, browser and router.
- Do not reuse passwords, and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Do not open unexpected attachments or click links in text messages about parcels or fines.
- Companies should train their staff: people are the most common way in.
The Slovak company ESET is one of the best-known makers of security software in the world.