What Is the WannaCry Virus? Global Ransomware Attack That Shook the World

What is the WannaCry virus? It's one of the most dangerous ransomware attacks in history, first surfacing in 2017. WannaCry encrypted users’ data and demanded Bitcoin payment to unlock it. Exploiting the EternalBlue vulnerability in Windows systems, it spread rapidly across local networks and the internet without user interaction. In just days, WannaCry infected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries, causing billions of dollars in damages. This article explains what WannaCry is, how it works, the warning signs of infection, and—most importantly—how to prevent similar ransomware attacks today. We’ll also explore key cybersecurity lessons learned from this global crisis.