Malware Warning | “Wannacry” Ransomware Attack

With the evolution of the “Wannacry” ransomware attack over the weekend that has been so heavily publicised and took down large parts of the NHS (among other businesses in over 100 countries around the world), people are arriving back into work this morning worried as to what to look for and what to do.

Here are a few suggestions you really should circulate or pass on to your end users:

1. If your computer has been or is telling you that there are Windows Updates available, then to install those updates ASAP, and reboot as soon as prompted to do so by Windows.  –   Do ensure they are only Microsoft Updates that you are installing.
2. Be extra vigilant about which emails you open, which attachments from within emails you open, and equally as importantly which links you click on in emails. –  The number 1 Rule, if you don’t know the sender, aren’t expecting the email, or anything looks suspicious, simply DON’T OPEN IT.
3. If you notice that you have any warnings telling you that your Anti Virus Software is not running or out of date, then raise it with your IT dept or Alliance Solutions immediately.
4. If you notice any strange and unexpected popups on your computer, then don’t simply panic and close them and hope they go away – immediately contact your IT dept or Alliance Solutions to report it – just incase it is something malicious.
5. If it is then the quicker its picked up the less harm it is likely to cause.  – Take a picture of the screen even so you can show your IT dept what was on the screen.
6. Encourage staff NOT to access personal emails accounts from their work computer, as Personal Emails may not have gone through the same malware scanning as your work emails. If you would like, and we do recommend it, we can in many instances block access to personal webmail accounts from your system, which can greatly reduce your attack surface.
7. Ensure you are changing your backup tapes or drives, and that your backups are running successfully.
8. Ensure Server patches are up to date.

If you have any questions or concerns, then please contact us on

support@alliancesolutions.co.uk, or if urgent call us on 0800 292 2102.