![Hackers issue cyber attack causing error in program code. [Shutterstock - iunewind]](https://images.dailycaller.com/image/width=960,height=411,fit=cover,f=auto/https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/shutterstock_274620425-e1524751762779.jpg "Hackers issue cyber attack causing error in program code. [Shutterstock - iunewind]")
A massive cyber attack hit several countries around the world Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Critical infrastructure in the respective nations, like airports and government departments in Ukraine, have been crippled from the apparent hacking. Ukraine’s metro system, as well as a state-sponsored aircraft manufacturer and airport in the city of Kiev, have all reported operation difficulties, according to The Telegraph.
Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration @dshymkiv instructed the team to help IT teams of other governmental institutions pic.twitter.com/iQw33ZJO7X
— The Bankova (@TheBankova) June 27, 2017
Rozenko Pavlo, the deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, reportedly shared a picture of the computer error on Twitter.
Posted by the Deputy Prime Minister of #Ukraine, Pavlo Rozenko,
This is what’s happening to government computers right now. pic.twitter.com/SxCudRt0AD— Christian Borys (@ItsBorys) June 27, 2017
An advisor to Ukraine’s interior minister said that the cyber breach stems from an altered version of the “WannaCry” ransomware that caused severe disruptions to the U.K.’s National Health Service in May, according to The Independent. (RELATED: UK Government Run Health Care Was Hacked Due To 15-Year-Old Windows System)
Ransomware is a type of infected software designed to take over a computer system and then block access for the authorized user. Hackers encrypt information critical to the performance of hospitals or other institutions, then demand money (usually in the form of BitCoin, a digital currency) in return for the encryption password.
Firms in Russia, the Netherlands and India have also been attacked by the malware, reports Sky News. It is already believed to be the biggest cyber attack in Ukraine’s history.
This story is developing…
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