What is the most dangerous computer virus of all time and why?
The most dangerous computer virus of all time is the WannaCry virus. It is a ransomware virus that attacks Windows systems. WannaCry is a worm that spread quickly and widely across the internet affecting over 230,000 computers in 150 countries within a matter of days. The virus encrypts victims’ files anddemand a ransom be paid in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin in order to regain access to their files.
WannaCry was particularly dangerous because it used a vulnerability in Windows called EternalBlue. This vulnerability was originally discovered and developed by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) as part of their cyber-espionage program. However, the NSA did not disclose the vulnerability to Microsoft, instead choosing to keep it secret in order to use it for their own purposes.
In April 2017, a group of hackers known as the Shadow Brokers leaked a cache of NSA hacking tools, one of which was EternalBlue. This gave criminals access to the same exploit that the NSA had been using for years. WannaCry was the first ransomware virus to make use of EternalBlue, and it proved to be incredibly effective.
Microsoft had released a patch for the EternalBlue vulnerability two months before the WannaCry outbreak, but many organizations and individuals had not installed it yet. This, combined with the fact that WannaCry spread so quickly and widely, meant that the virus caused a great deal of damage.
The WannaCry outbreak was eventually brought under control by a security researcher who discovered and activated a “kill switch” in the code. However, the damage had already been done. Estimates of the total cost of the WannaCry outbreak vary, but it is thought to be in the billions of dollars.
While WannaCry was undoubtedly the most damaging virus of its time, it is not the most dangerous virus of all time. That title is reserved for more sophisticated viruses that are designed to cause even more damage. However, the WannaCry virus is a sobering reminder of the damage that can be caused by a ransomware virus, and the importance of keeping your computer systems up-to-date with the latest security patches.
What is the most dangerous computer virus of all time?
The most dangerous computer virus of all time is the WannaCry virus. This virus infected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries and caused over $4 billion in damages. The WannaCry virus caused so much damage because it exploited a security flaw in the Microsoft Windows operating system. This allowed the virus to spread quickly and encrypt files on the infected computers.
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