The attack uses malware to encrypt victims data and demands victims pay a ransom to have their data restored.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working with the newly established CERT NZ to help protect New Zealanders from this form of attack.
The NCSC is taking steps to help increase the resilience of New Zealand’s nationally significant systems. These steps include technical measures and provision of mitigation advice.
The NCSC is aware that the ransomware exploits a known vulnerability in Windows operating systems and has previously provided advice to customers on addressing this vulnerability.
We are also working with CERT NZ to provide information on how individuals, small businesses and operators of larger systems can reduce their vulnerability to ransomware attacks.
Neither the NCSC or CERT NZ have received any reports of a New Zealand incidence of this ransomware attack.
If you experience such an attack you should contact CERT NZ(external link).