BEWARE OF RANSOMWARE ATTACKS; NITDA ADVISES MDA's, Others

With the increase in cyber-related crimes globally, the management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has drawn the attention of Nigerians on the recent cyber-attack that is affecting computers across the world; the ransomeware attack.


In a Press statement signed by the Director General/CEO of NITDA, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the agency boss warned that this attack, known as "WannaCry" or "WannaCrypt", spreads by itself between computers and does not require human interaction.

According to the NITDA Chief Executive, "it restricts access to the affected system as well as demanding for the payment of ransom".

"This attack", according to NITDA reports, "has so far affected over 99 countries and 100,000 machines", Ali Ibrahim said.

Speaking on the dangers of the attacks, the NITDA  CEO said; "the ransomware attack exploited vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Windows Operating System, especially those not currently supported such as Windows XP, Windows 8 and Windows Server 2003. Microsoft released a patch for the vulnerability in March and machines that were updated with the patch would have been automatically protected".

Furthermore, should your system be infected by ransomware, isolate the system from your network to prevent the threat from further spreading, he counselled.

On what measures or steps to be adopted as precautionary measures, he advised that the following actions can be taken immediately:
• remove the system from Network;
• do not use flash/pen drive, external drives on the System to copy files to other systems;
• Format the System completely and get fresh OS copy installed; and
• Contact NITDA Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) for assistance. They can be reached via telephone on +2348023275039 or e-mail: support@cerrt.ng.

As a general precautionary measure and as the security of systems is our collective responsibility, Dr. Ibrahim said; "we would like to recommend that individuals and organisations should:
• regularly update their operating systems with the latest patches;
• regularly update their software applications with latest patches;
• avoid downloading and opening unsolicited files and attachments;
• adjust security software to scan compressed or archived files; and
• avoid indiscriminate use wireless connections, such as Bluetooth or infrared ports.

While many Nigerians do not really know much about the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), it is an Agency under the Federal Ministry of Communications established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and co-ordinate general IT development and regulation in the country.

In addition, NITDA is also responsible for advising government on how to enhance the security of the nation.

NITDA is working with critical stakeholders to come up with ways in which the Nigerian cyberspace can be adequately protected.

The agency therefore, calls on all Nigerians to support the Agency by doing their best at protecting themselves as well as the information and systems under their care.