"This malware did not destroy the data, but it encrypted data, so that it could not be accessed," the minister revealed.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The computer system of Indonesias Vehicle Document Registration Center, or one roof administration system (Samsat) was hit by malware WannaCry ransomware, Rudiantara, Communication and Informatics Minister declared here, Monday.
Besides another company outside Java was also hit by the malware, he stated.
"After Dharmais Hospital in Jakarta was hit yesterday, we found that the malware has attacked Samsat and a company outside Java Island," Rudiantara said.
However, the virus attack has yet to paralyze the whole system and important data of the institutions have not been lost.
"It did not create a huge impact, as it affected only 10 computers. This may have happened because they forgot to shut down the computer, or they were still using the old operating system," he added.
WannaCry ransomware has affected server systems and old Windows operating systems issued in 2008 or earlier.
"This malware did not destroy the data, but it encrypted data, so that it could not be accessed," the minister revealed.
As of now, no antivirus is available that can retrieve the encrypted data files.
Rudiantara called on the public, particularly institutions and offices, to create backups and store it in a separate server.
He has also asked the public to copy their important data as backups.
WannaCry attacks computers with Windows operating system, as it has a vulnerability related to the server message block (SMB) run by the computer, and can execute commands to spread them to other computers in the same network.
The ransomware started spreading all over the world last Thursday, locking the targeted computers and encrypting all the data in them. This was followed by a demand for ransom to restore the data.
The malware locked and encrypted data on at least 400 computers at the Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta, Saturday, with the cyber-extortionists demanding ransom to restore the data.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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