On May 12, 2017, the world witnessed one of the biggest computer attacks ever by the WannaCry virus. The number of victims of this virus is estimated at 200,000 and spread over 150 countries.
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| WannaCry ransomware affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide in 2017. Photo: EPA. |
This is a malicious code created with the goal of ransomware users, operating on the ability to hijack computer access, blocking access until the victim pays a sum of money. As long as a user unknowingly downloads a malicious software or document, the virus will invade and block all computer documents.
Many computer systems in hospitals, banks, governments and private businesses are paralyzed because WannaCry encrypts data.
While cybersecurity and security experts have struggled to explain how WannyCry works, after 72 hours of research, 22-year-old IT expert Marcus Hutchins has found a way to prevent the virus. success.
Childhood difference
Living in the Devon suburbs on the west coast of England, Hutchins grew up on a farm and inherited a strict education from her parents. Right from the age of 6, Hutchins has gradually become different from his peers around him when he has a strong passion for computers.
Concerned about the “obsession” of his son, the Hutchins family has repeatedly tried to oppose even installing management programs on computers, restricting Internet access.
However, the manipulation of the boy in the teenage years at that time easily overcome the barriers of the family. Hutchins’s parents were so surprised by his intelligence and had to come to a “peaceful” deal.
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| Marcus Hutchins proved his aptitude for cyber security from an early age. Photo: Wired. |
At the age of 15, Hutchins showed his computer talents so well that the principal’s office where Hutchins attended had to call him and his family. He was suspended for two weeks and banned from using computers at school permanently when performing a cyber attack on the school’s servers, causing them to be replaced entirely.
Hutchins is becoming more and more popular and the reputation has spread in the hacker community on many forums.
The one who saved the world
On the Friday afternoon WannaCry appeared and sabotaged computers around the world, Marcus Hutchins returned home from a fast-food restaurant. After only a few minutes, he received a copy of WannaCry from a friend and began to “dissect” it.
Hutchins immediately realized that before encrypting the files, the malware sent a query to a web page that looked very random: “iuqerfsodp9ifjaposdfjhgosurijfaewrwergwea.com”.
When malware points to this type of domain name, it means that it is communicating with a command and control server somewhere to give instructions to the infected computer. Hutchins tried searching the site and was surprised to not receive any results.
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| When the world was attacked by WannaCry, Hutchins worked 72 hours continuously to find a way to fight the malware. Photo: Wired. |
Discovering that key point, Hutchins bought the domain name for $ 10.69 , regained control and directed WannaCry-infected computers to connect to a secure server, preventing the possibility of data theft. extortion of the virus.
In collaboration with the company Kryptos Logic – where Hutchins works – he and his colleagues try to maintain the server before the wreaks of WannaCry-infected computers.
“If we fail, WannaCry will rise to attack again,” recounted boss Kryptos Logic Salim Neino. WannaCry is still considered a dangerous threat.
Concerned about Hutchins’ health when he never slept for more than 3 hours a day throughout the week, Neiro had to pay more than $ 1,000 for every Hutchins bed.
After successfully rescuing more than 100,000 WannaCry-infected computers, Marcus Hutchins continues to work with the government’s national cybersecurity center to prevent Wannacry from infiltrating many computer systems.
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| Marcus Hutchisn was described as a hero who helped stop WannaCry. Photo: Wired. |
The world press described Hutchins as a hero of the world, from which he entered the path to becoming a “white-hat hacker.”
White hat hackers have experience and expertise as well as black hat hackers, but instead of trying to attack the system, they spend time to research, prevent, prevent and report. Error for the owner of the system about the security hole before it has been used by the bad guys.
Many think that Hutchins’ talent will be valued and he will become one of the world’s leading cybersecurity experts.
The fine line between heroes and criminals
“Are you Marcus Hutchins?” Asked a tall man in a black suit.
As soon as he confirmed his identity, Hutchins was handcuffed by three men and put on a bunker black SUV while he was preparing to fly back to England at Sincity Airport, USA.
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| Just a few months after becoming a hero, Marcus Hutchins was arrested by the FBI for the malware he developed. Photo: Wired. |
On August 3, 2017, three months after being honored by the world for stopping the most dangerous virus of all time, WannaCry, Marcus Hutchins was officially arrested by the FBI. with 6 charges and a 10-year prison sentence and a $ 250,000 fine.
Hutchins and several others have been charged with developing two malware, UPAS-Kit and Kronos. They are used to collect information and hack banks’ data.
These offenses took place from July 2012 to September 9, 2015, and Hutchins was also accused of colluding for selling the virus for $ 3,000 between 2014 and 2015 on online stores of cybercriminals.
23 years old, more than 8000km from his homeland, the chain of days in detention is the most lonely time for Marcus Hutchins.
Luck finally smiled
With his achievements and reputation, Marcus has received a lot of support from the online community around the world as well as colleagues.
During the trial, after considering Hutchins’ contribution to stopping WannaCry’s attacks, federal judges of the Milwaukee court sentenced the security expert to a one-year supervised detention and The right to return to his homeland in England. Hutchins will not be penalized any money.
“I am truly grateful for the generosity of the judge, all the wonderful letters you have sent and the people who have helped me over the past 2 years, both financially and emotionally,” twitter @MalwareTechBlog this guy appreciate after the trial.