Don't Panic, ATMs In Malaysia Are Not Shutting Down Due To The WannaCry Ransomware

Malaysians are beginning to panic after reports surfaced yesterday about the malicious cyberattack reaching our shores.

The public became more concerned when a viral message circulating on social media claimed that Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in the country would be shut down for three days.

The message also advised people to withdraw their money immediately and avoid making online banking transactions.

In response to the message, the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia has brushed off such claims as the ministry has yet to receive reports of individuals or groups who have been affected.

According to the New Straits Times, Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said the message has been investigated and revealed to be a hoax.

He also urged the public to verify information like this before sharing it on social media because there have been many messages related to the ransomware spreading around.

CyberSecurity Malaysia also revealed that so far they have only received one official report from an academic institution falling victim to the WannaCry ransomware.

However, there may be several unreported incidents that have occurred in the country.

It is highly crucial for all network users to take necessary precautions against the cyberattack, including backing up their systems and data periodically, installing anti-virus applications on their gadgets and avoiding from opening suspicious links.

CyberSecurity Malaysia CEO Amirudin Abdul Wahab said in a statement that the national cyber security agency is continuously monitoring the situation.

Its Cyber999 service is available to affected individuals and organisations seeking technical assistance on remediation and prevention.