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| Two South Korean companies have been rippled by a worldwide cyber "ransomeware" extortion attack. |
By Lee Han-soo
Two South Korean companies are among tens of thousands of computer systems in nearly 100 countries crippled by a worldwide cyber "ransomeware" extortion attack since Friday.
The Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) said two domestic companies were victims of the attack powered by ransomewear known as WannaCry.
The scope of damage is unknown because the attack was unleashed during weekend. The agency does not rule out the possibility that more victims will emerge on Monday.
Ransomware is a malicious software that bans access to files saved on a computer or suspends access to the computer entirely until a certain action is performed, with some even demanding payment.
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The malware affects only computers operating on Microsoft's Windows system.
"We are working to measure the scope of the damage," a KISA official said on Sunday. "We are supporting the companies by analyzing the infection path and taking further precautions against the malicious software."
Experts estimate that the ransomeware has devastated more than 57,000 computer systems in 100 countries since Friday, with Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as the main targets.
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