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WannaCry ransomware demanded $300 in Bitcoin as 2017 attack hit 300,000 computers

The 2017 cyberattack locked computers in 150 countries and became many people’s first exposure to Bitcoin, according to the source, which says a second variant was later released.

BTC

Summary

Nine years after the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, the source recalls that roughly 300,000 computers across 150 countries were locked and victims were asked to pay more than $300 in Bitcoin. The incident is widely remembered as one of the largest global ransomware outbreaks, using malware (malicious software) to encrypt files and demand cryptocurrency for potential recovery. According to the source, a second variant of WannaCry was also released, and the attack was later attributed to an unspecified party in the provided text.

Terms & Concepts
  • Ransomware: Malware (malicious software) that locks or encrypts a victim’s data and demands payment for restoration.
  • Bitcoin: A decentralized digital currency that can be transferred without a central bank or payment intermediary.
  • Variant: A modified version of malware or software, often released to expand an attack or bypass defenses.