21 May 2017

The wannacry computer virus, which was experienced last week in several countries around the world has caused fear of considerable damage to the Government Data Network (GDN).

According to the deputy permanent secretary responsible for Information Communications Technology in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr Ephraim Balebetse, the wannacry virus easily spreads through computer files and disables them.

Mr Balebetse therefore warned all government departments and private companies, in an interview recently, to be cautious when handling email.

“When receiving email, look and see where the email is from as they (hackers) normally send an email. If it is not part of your address book and appears to be suspicious, do not open the link or attachment placed. Delete the email right away and do not go any further,” he advised.

He added that when a computer had been attacked by the wannacry virus, a message demanding money amounting to US$300 would be received, explaining that once payment is done the computer would be restored.

Mr Balebetse said government ICT department took an initiative to shut down its internet services and systems for a week because eight services on its platform were vulnerable to attack.

“The wannacry virus spreads through the internet, this being the reason why the internet has shut down in all government offices and stations as a safety precaution,” he said, pointing that the meteorology system, which collects data on weather around the country was also affected.

“They used their backup internet services, which ministry was not aware of. However we managed to fix and protect the link as soon as possible,” he added.

He said his office was currently trying to make sure that the virus did not attack any station, and that none of the private companies were affected.  

He explained that although Botswana was still lagging behind developed countries in terms of Cyber Security, his ministry had taken key steps to improve in that regard.

“The aim is to build agencies that will be able to protect, alert and destroy such threats as wannacry,” he said.

He urged organisations to back up data so services could always be restored after a crisis. ENDS