Britain's health service says most hospitals hit by the global "ransomware" attack are back up and running, but seven are still experiencing IT disruption and canceling appointments.
Experts urged organizations and companies to immediately update older Microsoft operating systems, such as Windows XP, with a patch released by Microsoft Corp.to limit vulnerability to a more powerful version of the malware - or to future versions that can't be stopped.
He added that the US government does not recommend paying the ransom and warned that making a payment to the hackers doesn't guarantee that you'll get access to your computer files.
However, the authors of the "WannaCry" ransomware attack told their victims the amount they must pay will double if they do not comply within three days of the original infection, by Monday in most cases.
The United States has the recent global ransomware attack "under control", but it could "morph into a more hard and threatening manner", White House Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert said Monday. Brad Smith criticized USA intelligence agencies, including the CIA and National Security Agency, for "stockpiling" software code that can be used by hackers. Bossert, who spoke at a White House press briefing on May 15, acknowledged that FedEx was one of the few American entities affected by the attack. The hackers exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft systems - uncovered and developed by the National Security Agency, then leaked online last month - to take control of computers and hold data for ransom.
Interpol's cybercrime unit, based in Singapore, said it is working on information provided by the private Kaspersky Lab to assist investigations in the countries affected.
Macron meets Merkel on first official visit as French President
In turn, Merkel said she is open to a Macron proposal to create a level playing field between European Union countries and other global trade partners.
Bossert tells ABC's "Good Morning America" that the malware is an "extremely serious threat" that could inspire copycat attacks. What is new is the use of a worm to propagate through systems. "No reports have come in" detailing cyberattacks in the country.
The unprecedented "ransomware" cyberattack could wreak even more havoc Monday as people return to their desks and power up their computers at the start of the work week.
The attack that began Friday is believed to be the biggest online extortion attack ever recorded, disrupting computers that run factories, banks, government agencies and transport systems.
Installing a Microsoft patch is one way to protect computers against the virus.
A cyber-attack is wreaking computer havoc around the globe.
Eiichi Moriya, a cybersecurity expert and professor at Meiji University, warned that paying the ransom would not guarantee a fix.
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