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Petya ransomware attack: What you need to know

petya

Companies across the UK, Europe and the US have been hit by a ransomware attack known as ‘Petya’, also referred to as Petrwrap.

The malicious software, the second in as many months, has caused havoc across a wide range of firms including Cadbury’s chocolate factory in Hobart (Peterborough), UK advertising giant WPP, international law firm DLA Piper and Danish shipping and transport firm Maersk.

Similarly to what happened with WannaCry, the notorious strand of ransomware that ravaged the NHS, Petya is blocking users’ computers, encrypting files and demanding a $300 bitcoin ransom in exchange for unlocking a device.

Once the ransom has been paid, users are asked to send a confirmation to an address, which has now, according to a blog post, been shut down by the email provider – meaning that there is no longer a way for people who pay the ransom to contact the attacker for a decryption key. ...