• The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) on Sept 1, 2017 issued an alert about spread of a new malicious software ‘Locky’, which is being circulated through spam messages.
• This is a ransomware that can potentially lock computers and demand ransom for restoring access to users.
• Reports indicate that over 23 million messages are being sent in this campaign.
• Locky Ransomware is learnt to be demanding ransom of half bitcoin, which at present rate is equivalent to over Rs 1.5 lakh. 
• The alert, issued on Cyber Swachhta Kendra, said it has been reported that a new wave of spam mails is circulating with common subject lines to spread variants of Locky Ransomware.
• To target users, it added, spam e-mails showing links to fake websites is being used to spread Locky variants. 
• Users are advised to exercise caution while opening e-mails and organisations are advised to deploy anti-spam solutions and update spam block lists.
• This is the third major ransomware attack this year after Wannacry and Petya that crippled thousands of computers, including those of multinational corporations. 
• In fact, according to an Assocham PWC study, India was the third worst affected country in a list of over 100 countries hit by Wannacry in May.

Source: Timesofindia