Key Takeaways:
- Global Impact: WannaCry was a significant ransomware outbreak that affected over 100 countries, disrupting many organizations’ networks and demanding ransoms to unlock files.
- Preventive Measures: Essential security practices include keeping operating systems updated and using firewalls and antivirus software to block the infection.
- Recommended Solutions: The blog suggests specific products, like Barracuda and SonicWALL, that effectively prevent WannaCry infections through advanced filtering and security services.
One of the largest outbreaks of the ransom-ware virus WannaCry Infection, which locks your files and requires you to pay hundreds of dollars to an unknown entity to unlock the files was released on Friday, May 12th. The infection has spread to over 100 countries worldwide and shut down many organization’s networks. While most of the reported outbreaks were not in the US, it is widely believed that additional variants of the virus will be released in the coming weeks, and protection of your company data in all areas of your IT network must be reviewed.
Web Full Circle employs many layers of protection for all our clients to protect them from the WannaCry virus. Having a single antivirus product or firewall is not enough to protect your company’s data and we want to make our clients aware of products we strongly recommend acting immediately to protect your company’s data.
Window Updates
Microsoft released an update to all supported operating systems on March 14th that blocks the WannaCry virus, which has been suspected for months. Web Full Circle strongly recommends all computers and servers running on your network to be patched to the latest release immediately. All clients can run updates from their workstations at any point and if assistance is needed, please contact our support team. Plan accordingly to run these updates as operating systems will use internet bandwidth, require reboots, and have downtime to servers/workstations.
Here is the Microsoft Security Bulletin detailing the WannaCry Virus.
Firewall and Antivirus
By design, the WannaCry virus installs to an operating system by opening infected attachments or malicious code from an infected website. The following systems actively blocked the WannaCry virus:
Barracuda Web and Barracuda Spam Firewalls
Both the Spam and Web Filter subscriptions contained definitions that actively blocked the WannaCrypt infection. Web Full Circle highly recommends the usage of both services for all our clients. Please contact support directly for information in receiving details and a subscription to either of these products.
Here is a press release from Barracuda outlining how their products actively blocked the WannaCry Virus.
SonicWALL Firewall with Gateway Security Services Subscription
SonicWALL devices with a Gateway Security Service subscription actively blocked the WannaCry infection. The antivirus subscription is an add-in feature for the SonicWALL product. Web Full Circle highly recommends the usage of a firewall-based antivirus. Please contact support directly for information in receiving details and a subscription for SonicWALL Gateway Security Service
Here is a press release from SonicWALL outlining how their products actively blocked the WannaCry Virus.
Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security Antivirus
Trend Micro Worry-Free Antivirus actively blocked the WannaCry virus. Web Full Circle strongly recommends usage of a purchased antivirus product and not a free antivirus. Please contact support directly for information in receiving details and a subscription for Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Antivirus.
Here is a press release from Trend Micro outlining how their products actively blocked the WannaCry Virus.