Norway safe from ransomware attack: national security authority

Norway's National Security Authority (NSM) believes the Nordic country is now safe from the ransomware data virus attack that has hit hundreds of thousands of computers in more than 150 countries, newspaper VG reported Monday.

"We believe this is under control in Norway. We are still seeing a significant spread internationally, and some countries have been hit hard in critical functions, but in Norway it looks good," said Hans Christian Pretorius, head of ICT security department at NSM.

Over the past days, only a few Norwegian companies and football clubs were reportedly affected by the worldwide computer virus WannaCry.

"We believe this version of the virus will not hit Norway hard. We have to fold up our sleeves and be prepared for new waves," Pretorius said.

He emphasized that it is common for such viruses to appear in new and adjusted versions. A new version of the virus was already adjusted this weekend.

"All things point to the fact that this is a criminal case. There is no reason to believe that this is a state participant who will push companies to get money. However, this requires great expertise to achieve it," Pretorius said.

Despite the large number of people affected, the attackers have only received around 400,000 kroner (46,000 U.S. dollars), VG wrote.

The data attack is so far linked to three Bitcoin accounts that on Monday received 171 payments totaling 400,000 Norwegian kroner, the report said.

According to Pretorius, the fact that only few have chosen to pay the attackers is a good sign. "We basically want that people do not pay because it helps to fund such activities," he said. Endit