Petya ransomware alert: What you need to know
The Office of Cybersecurity has been monitoring an active, new, widespread ransomware attack that’s spread to around 65 countries. The ransomware is a variant of a previously identified malware called “Petya.” There is no evidence that UW–Madison is a specific target. Like all ransomware, this version encrypts files and demands payment in BitCoin to decrypt them. This version of Petya can jump to other computers on a network by exploiting an unpatched Microsoft Windows vulnerability. It’s recommended that you enable automatic updating of Windows and that you install antivirus software and keep it up to date. The Office of Cybersecurity does not recommend paying ransom demands.