The recent WannaCry ransomware attack Attack.Ransom , which spread to more than 100 countries , is only the beginning in a series of similar attacks , according to Cătălin Coșoi , head of the Bitdefender ’ s investigation team coordinating the relations of the company with institutions such as NATO , Europol , Interpol , or national response centers to cyber-security incidents , Agerpres reported . Romanian group Bitdefender is a global technology security company which provides cyber security solutions to more than 500 million users across businesses and homes in more than 150 countries . “ The WannaCry 1.0 and 2.0 versions , a type of fast-spreading ransomware that blocks the data of the users and then asks for a ransom Attack.Ransom , are only the beginning in a series of similar , ample attacks , making WannaCry one of the most significant IT threats of the next 12 months . The amplitude of the WannaCry phenomenon Attack.Ransom can be reduced rapidly if Microsoft decides to push Vulnerability-related.PatchVulnerability an update to all users who do not use the most recent version of the Windows operating system . This measure has been taken before , and the reach of the WannaCry threat Attack.Ransom could justify this again , in a controlled and coordinated method , with the support of authorities and of cyber-security companies . Although the measure of updating without the user ’ s permission would force the limits of current legislation , the Bitdefender expertise in cyber-security has proven that , many times , current regulations do not keep up with the evolution of the criminal phenomenon . This is why cooperation between authorities and the IT security industry is more needed than ever , ” Coșoi explained . The computers in public institutions , hospitals , and other social sector organizations are not usually updated with the most recent OS system , the Bitdefender representative said . “ If the respective terminals are not infected by ransomware now , they will remain vulnerable to other threats , including cyber-attacks sponsored by other states . In the event of such a scenario , ransomware would be a fortunate case , because it produces palpable consequences . On the other hand , the advanced threats used for espionage purposes could exploit the vulnerability of the operating system and systematically steal Attack.Databreach information for a long time , without being detected , ” Coșoi explained . A global WannaCry ransomware attack Attack.Ransom took place last weekend , affecting some 100 countries . The attack , which has been called “ unprecedented ” by Europol , has affected hospitals in Britain and Spanish telecom operator Telefonica , as well as courier service FedEx in the US . Car-maker Dacia had to halt its local production activities because of the attack . WannaCry is a ransomware attack Attack.Ransom which exploits a vulnerability of the Microsoft Windows operating system . Once installed on the infected computer , the virus encrypts the users ’ files and demands payment Attack.Ransom in bitcoin to allow the victims to access their data .