Log in, look out: Cyber chaos may grow at workweek's start

The ransomware has so far infected more than 200,000 computers in around 150 countries all across the globe.

The attack held hospitals and other entities hostage by freezing their computers, encrypting their data and demanding money through online bitcoin payment - $300 at first, rising to $600 before it destroys files hours later.

Some students reported seeing demands for ransoms pop up on their laptops as networks at several universities - including Tsinghua and Peking in Beijing - reported severe disruption.

The identity of Shadow Brokers is unknown though many security experts believe the group that surfaced in 2016 is linked to the Russian government.

Nonetheless, the experts say such widespread attacks are tough to pull off.

Smith also stated that Microsoft had already released a security patch for the said vulnerability but users didn't update it for some reason or the other and now the tech giant is "working around the clock" to protect and help its affected customers. The hackers exploited software code from the National Security Agency that leaked online.

The malware attack was briefly stopped in its tracks on Saturday when a quick-thinking United Kingdom security researcher called Darien Huss - aka MalwareTech - identified an obscure domain name in the malware's code and bought the domain.

"Or we could potentially see copycats mimic the delivery or exploit method they used", he said.

Even if you use a more recent Windows system you should ensure you have downloaded the latest updates and security software, to protect against viruses or malware.

Here is the latest National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advice on the virus that took down computers across the world, including some NHS systems.

The NHS says it employs more than 1.5 million people, making it one of the world's biggest employers alongside the U.S. Department of Defence, Walmart and the Chinese army.

Organizations and networks worldwide have since Friday been dealing with the fallout of massive ransomware attack that exploited a hole in PCs running Microsoft Windows that haven't been updated.

Cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox and Box offer large amount of storage space for a monthly or yearly subscription fee.

Britain's National Cyber Security Center said it could have been much worse if not for a 22-year-old Britain-based cybersecurity researcher.

This ransomware, also known as malware, spreads as a worm. But the South Korean cinema chain CJ CGV Co. was restoring advertising servers at dozens of theaters after the attack left the company unable to display trailers of upcoming movies.

The government found no impact among agencies, though companies like Hitachi and Nissan Motor Co. reported problems that had not seriously affected their business operations.

The security researcher, named in reports as Marcus Hutchins, was hailed an "accidental hero" for his discovery of the WannaCry virus's kill switch. Short of paying, options for these individuals and companies are usually limited to recovering data files from a backup, if available, or living without them.

Prime Minister Theresa May said "warnings were given to hospital trusts" about the Microsoft vulnerability exploited by the attackers. Intelligence officials wouldn't comment on the authenticity of the claims. "But there's clearly some culpability on the part of the US intelligence services".

"Otherwise they're literally fighting the problems of the present with tools from the past". "It's a handy thing to have, but it's a unsafe thing to have, because they can be used against you". Because they can be used against you.