A virus that hijacks computer disks is affecting companies worldwide, not least in Portugal where large businesses such as PT, EDP, Santander and KPMG have been affected.
The National Center for Cybersecurity’s Pedro Veiga admitted that today’s computer attack is affecting companies worldwide and may have started in Brazil.
However, Viega notes that in this type of attack, it is very difficult to find the origin as hackers are adept at covering their tracks.
The National Unit to Combat Cybercrime and Technological Crime, under the Judicial Police, is investigating the widespread attack and inspectors are working with the National Center for Cybersecurity.
Tens of thousands of attacks were registered in 99 countries. Russia, Ukraine, India and Taiwan initially appeared to be most hard hit, though details are yet to emerge. Russia said 1,000 computers at its interior ministry were affected.
The attack forced hospitals in the UK to cancel operations and divert ambulances. Files containing patient records and x-ray information were unavailable. The National Cyber Security Centre says teams are working round the clock to bring systems back online. NHS Digital and prime minister Theresa May say there is no evidence patient data has been accessed.
This type of attack, known as ‘ransomware’ because it hijacks files on the computer's disk and asks for a Bitcoin payment to releases them, also is affecting countless companies in Spain, including Telefónica, Iberdrola and BBVA.
Official sources at the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that the Portuguese government is monitoring the situation and that the national network for internal security had not suffered any cyber attack.
The National Cryptological Center of Spain issued a warning of the "massive attack" and said that Microsoft warned of vulnerability on March 14th, advising all users to update their operating systems or disconnect their computers as the "Wannacry" virus only affects users who have a Microsoft operating system.
PT Portugal says that its network was not affected by the computer attack and has activated "all security plans" to ensure its networks and services are not affected.
"At PT, all our technical teams are taking the necessary steps to resolve the situation, and all the security plans designed for this purpose have been activated in collaboration with the competent authorities," said a spokesman, adding that "the network and services for fixed, mobile, internet and television communications provided by Meo were not affected."
Power company EDP has cut its network's Internet access to prevent the computer attack and stated that no problems have been reported on its systems.
"In view of the massive attack that is taking place in organisations in the Iberian Peninsula, EDP has decided to cut Internet access in its network as a preventive measure.”
Portugal Telecom urged users to exercise caution in browsing the net and when opening e-mail attachments.
The level of cyber-threat, according Spain, is ‘very high.’