The hackers' message that appeared on a computer in Wayanad. OnmanoramaThiruvananthapuram: Kerala seems to be largely out of the dragnet of the debilitating ransomware attack which left hundreds of thousands of computers 'locked' and vital data out of bounds for users in the past four days.
Reports reaching the State IT Mission, the government's information technology enabler, said the computers in seven panchayat offices in the state were hit, but to minimal consequences. The data was unlikely to be lost as all files had been backed up, sources said.
Kerala police was prepared to counter ransomware attacks, says IG
The IT Mission asked all offices to swiftly format its computers and ensure proper back-up. Officials had been asked not to open 'dubious looking' attachments, especially from unknown sources. Officials had been asked to use pen drives and external hard discs to back-up important files.
Probe ordered
Meanwhile, Kerala minister for local self-government K.T. Jaleel ordered an inquiry into the virus attack which affected the computers. The Information Kerala Mission oversees computer operations at local bodies in the state.
Ransomware attack in Kerala: story so far
The IT Mission said its Computer Emergency Response team had put together a to-do list to face virus attacks. Also, officials may contact the mission directly if they perceived a threat. IT Mission sources said they had issued similar directives earlier too but these were largely ignored as no one was aware of the ramifications of a malware attack.
The mission website had uploaded illustrated instructions including how to update Windows software.
