MyRepublic and ViewQwest set up WannaCry ransomware helplines for customers

Internet service providers MyRepublic and ViewQwest are teaming up with the Cyber Security Agency to assist its customers with regard to the ransomware known as WannaCry. PHOTO: MYREPUBLIC

SINGAPORE - The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) is working with two more Internet service providers (ISPs), MyRepublic and ViewQwest, to give business and consumers more information on the global WannaCry ransomware.

The ISPs will be providing helplines to assist customers.

MyRepublic customers can call 6717-1680, while ViewQwest customers can call 6491-1321.

The firms join three other ISPs - M1, Singtel and StarHub - in providing the helplines.

M1 residential customers can call 1627 and corporate customers can call 1622. Singtel customers can call 1688 while its small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers can call 1606. StarHub SME customers can call 1800 888-8888, while residential customers can call 1633.

Help is also available from SingCERT at singcert@csa.gov.sg or the hotline on 6323-5052.

WannaCry crippled hospitals in England and Scotland, government agencies in China and Russia, railway operations in Germany and car production facilities in France. Indonesia's Dharmais Cancer Hospital also could not access patients' medical records.

Infected systems were locked down with a note demanding ransom - earning WannaCry the term "ransomware".

In Singapore, CSA said on Tuesday (May 16) that home and business computers tied to some 500 Internet protocol addresses or Internet accounts could have been infected by WannaCry. But CSA added that files in these computers might not be locked down by the ransomware.

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