Ransomware attacks reported worldwide

[Anthea]

In the UK: NHS cyber-attack declared major incident;
Around the world: Ransomware attacks reported worldwide

NHS declare major incident after cyber attack on a number of hospital and GP surgeries across England
Ransomware software that locks computers, demanding payment, is being seen on screens
Similar infections are reported by Spanish utility firms, and in the US, China, Russia, Italy, Vietnam and Taiwan
Up to 25 NHS organisations In England are said to have been affected, as well as four GP surgeries in Scotland
GPs reported to be using pen and paper in some areas
Some hospitals are diverting patients
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is being briefed by the National Cyber Security Centre
Downing

Street spokesman says the PM is being kept informed of the situation

A massive ransomware campaign appears to have infected a number of organisations around the world.

Screenshots of a well known program that locks computers and demands a payment in Bitcoin have been shared online by parties claiming to be affected.

There have been reports of infections in the UK, US, China, Russia, Spain, Italy, Vietnam, Taiwan and others.

Security researchers are linking the incidents together.

One cyber-security researcher tweeted that he had detected 36,000 instances of the ransomware, called WannaCry and variants of that name.

"This is huge," he said.
"This is huge," he said.
Another, at cyber-security firm Kaspersky, said that the ransomware had been spotted cropping up in 74 countries and that the number was still growing.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) was also hit by a ransomware outbreak on the same day and screenshots of the WannaCry program were shared by NHS staff.

A number of Spanish firms were among the apparent victims elsewhere in Europe.

Telecoms giant Telefonica said in a statement that it was aware of a "cybersecurity incident" but that clients and services had not been affected.

Power firm Iberdrola and utility provider Gas Natural were also reported to have suffered from the outbreak.

There were reports that staff at the firms were told to turn off their computers.

Screenshots of WannaCry with text in Spanish were also shared online.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39901382

[Anthea]

Eleven of 14 NHS health boards hit by ransomware cyber-attack



Eleven of Scotland's 14 NHS health boards have been hit by a cyber-attack linked to IT attacks around the world.

The only boards not to be affected are Lothian, Orkney and Shetland.

The first minister chaired a meeting of the Scottish government's resilience committee on Friday evening to review the situation. A second meeting is planned for 07:00 on Saturday.

Nicola Sturgeon said the government was taking immediate steps "to minimise the impact on patients".

The health boards which have been affected are:

NHS Glasgow
NHS Lanakrshire
NHS Dumfries and Galloway
NHS Forth Valley
NHS Tayside
NHS Western Isles
NHS Borders
NHS Fife
NHS Ayrshire and Arran
NHS Grampian
NHS Highland

The Scottish Ambulance Service has also been affected.

The incidents are thought to be part of a wider attack affecting organisations around the world.

Link to more details:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39896639