WannaCry Ransomware Attack Updates — Europol Says "Patch Before Monday"

UPDATE: Europol chief Rob Wainwright told the BBC, "Companies need to make sure they have updated their systems and 'patched where they should' before staff arrives for work on Monday morning."

By now, you may have heard about the global ransomware attacks affecting organizations throughout the world. Estimates range from between 150,000 to 200,000 groups in nearly 150 countries, and those numbers could be higher. The ransomware variant, called "Wanna Decryption" or "WannaCry" works like any other ransomware: once it is inadvertently installed, it locks up the organization's data until ransom is paid. Here are some quick facts about the WannaCry attack and suggestions for avoiding it.