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- Over 100 countries affected by WannaCry ransomware so far
The Wanna Cry ransomware attack – one of the largest ever cyber attacks – appeared to be slowing around 24 hours after it wrecked havoc and shut down tens of thousands of computer systems across 104 countries.
The slow down happened soon after ‘MalwareTech’, a Britain-based security researcher, accidentally discovered a ‘kill switch’ to halt the Wanna Cry attack.
Russia was the worst affected with Avast telling that 60 per cent of all infected computers were located in that country.
Points to Remember
WannaCry, is a form of ransomware that affects Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
When a system is infected, a pop up window appears, prompting you to pay to recover all your files within three days, with a countdown timer on the left of the window.
It adds that if you fail to pay within that time, the fee will be doubled, and if you don’t pay within seven days, you will lose the files forever.
Payment is accepted only with Bitcoin.
Ransomware is a form of malicious software that locks up the files on your computer, encrypts them, and demands that you pay to get your files back.
- India jumps 73 spots to 26 rank in World Bank’s electricity accessibility list
India has climbed up to twenty sixth position in World Bank’s electricity accessibility ranking in the current year from 99th spot in 2014, power minister Piyush Goyal has said.
Elaborating on energy access to all, the minister said at the Vienna Energy Forum, held on May 11, everyone was actually impressed about India that has actually led the global efforts by its action to address the challenge of the planet change.
The government’s rural electrification programme is proceeding swiftly, with over 13,000 villages electrified out of a total of 18,452 and is on track for completion within the targeted 1,000 days.
- Kerala tops, Bihar last in public affairs index
Two South Indian States Kerala and Tamil Nadu have secured first and second rankings for the second year in a row in 2017 public affairs index (PAI) in governance in States
Poll-bound Gujarat gained two positions rising from five in 2016 to three.
Karnataka slipped from third position in 2016 to fourth in 2017 while Maharashtra stood fifth (4th in 2016) in governance indicators.
There was no change in the last four positions among large States. Like in the previous year, Bihar (18th), Jharkhand (17th), Odisha (16th) and Assam (15th) are at the bottom of the table in PAI, a latest survey of think-tank Public Affairs Centre (PAC), Bengaluru, has revealed.
- PM Modi to inaugurate Asia’s longest bridge in Assam
Asia’s longest bridge on Brahmaputra, which will reduce travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by four hours, will be opened for public on May 26 coinciding with Modi government’s three years in power.
9.15km long Dhola-Sadiya bridge, capable of withstanding the weight of a 60-tonne battle tank, will improve the movement of civilian and military vehicles to strategic locations up to Anini in Arunachal Pradesh.
Anini is barely 100km from China border.
- IIT Kharagpur collaborates with British Geological Survey to turn Varanasi into smart city
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has collaborated with the British Geological Survey to turn Varanasi into a smart city.
Three dimensional geological modelling of the geology under Varanasi will be prepared to help improve the building of new transport and service infrastructure.
Further, the preservation of archaeological sites and the management of flooding hazards and the sustainability of water supplies would also be undertaken.
- Hamilton wins Spanish Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton won the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position to cut Sebastian Vettel’s overall lead in the Formula One championship to six points with a quarter of the season completed.
The Mercedes driver’s 55th career win was hard-fought and tense.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finished second.
- Arjun Maini first Indian to win a GP3 race
Arjun Maini, driving for Jenzer Motorsports, created history by becoming the first Indian driver to win a GP3 race when he claimed the sprint race.
The 19-year old scored his first win in two years ahead of Frenchman Dorian Boccolacci and teammate Alessio Lorandi of Italy.
- Rafael Nadal beats Dominic Thiem to win Madrid Open
Rafael Nadal defeated Dominic Thiem 7-6, 6-4 in the Madrid Open final to win his third straight title and continue his good form heading into the French Open.
Nadal earned his 15th straight victory on clay and tie Novak Djokovic’s record of 30 career titles in Masters 1000 events.
The triumph at his home tournament gave Nadal his 72nd career title, and 52nd on clay.
- Former Puducherry Chief Minister Ramassamy passes away
Former Puducherry Chief Minister S Ramassamy died at his residence after a brief illness.He was 80.
He was Home Minister in the DMK-CPI coalition ministry from 1969 to 1973.
He became Chief Minister in 1974 heading the AIADMK-CPI coalition ministry for a brief period.
He was also the Chief Minister in the AIADMK government in 1977, which lasted in office for a little over one year.
- Book titled “India’s Indira: A Centennial Tribute” launched
President Pranab Mukherjee has received the first copy of book “India’s Indira: A Centennial Tribute” in New Delhi.
Mukherjee has also written a chapter in the book, which was released by vice-president M Hamid Ansari.
Senior leader Anand Sharma has edited the book.
Source :- Daily Current Affairs Capsule
