Discovered in May 2017, WannaCry is one of the most infamous ransomware strains ever. Like most ransomware, WannaCry was designed to encrypt files on infected computers and demand a ransom from its victims. However, the malware was unique in that it spread rapidly throughout computer networks by exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated Windows operating systems.
The ransomware infected over 230,000 computers in more than 150 countries and caused billions of dollars worth of damages to healthcare institutions and major corporations. Financial damages from WannaCry have been estimated to be over $4 billion, and new strains of ransomware are still being developed based on its code.