Cyber attack: more than 125,000 computers are currently down!!

Cyber attack; current strategy

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Cyber-attack: More than 125,000 computers are down… 5 ways to protect yours

A massive cyber-attack using tools believed to have been stolen from the US National Security Agency (NSA) struck organisations around the world this week.

The cyber-security firm Avast said it had seen 75,000 cases of the ransomware – known as WannaCry and variants of that name – around the world.

More than 125,000 computers have been infected across 99 countries, including Russia and China.

Ransomware is a computer virus that installs discreetly on a victim’s device, holding his data hostage until ransom, which is usually in crypto-currency, is paid. It is cyber-kidnapping.

Subsequently, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) listed some guidelines on how Nigerians can protect their computers from being affected by ransomware.

Below are general precautionary measures listed by the agency:

• Regularly update your operating systems with the latest patches.

• Regularly update your software applications with latest patches.

• Avoid downloading and opening unsolicited files and attachments.

• Adjust security software to scan compressed or archived files

• Avoid indiscriminate use of wireless connections, such as bluetooth or infrared ports.

The agency also listed corrective measures to include:

• Remove the system from Network.

• Do not use flash/pen drive, external drives on the System to copy files to other systems.

• Format the system completely and get fresh OS copy installed.

NITDA asked those in need of emergency assistance to contact the agency’s computer emergency readiness and response team (CERRT) on: 800-9988-7766- 5544 or e-mail: support@cerrt.ng.

Davido, Hushpuppi fight dirty over wealth!

HHushpuppi and Davido

Malaysia-based Nigerian money bag, HushPuppi shaded hip-hop artiste Davido after spending N11m at the Club Quillox.

Hushpuppi described himself as a rich man (Olowo in Yoruba) instead of the rich man’s kid (Omo baba Olowo) which is Davido’s favourite epithet.

In response, Davido posted his December account balance. He then berated Hushpuppi for spending the amount partying. "money wey u suppose take build house, mumu, ode."

Court remands former FCT minister, Bala Muhammed in prison...

Former FCT minister, Bala MoMuhammed

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gudu, Abuja, on Wednesday remanded a former Minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed, in Kuje Prison till This date when ruling on his bail application would be delivered.

Justice Abubakar Talba made the order of remand after hearing Mohammed’s bail application which followed the ex-minister’s arraignment on Wednesday.

Psquare and brother(Jude) flaunt their magnificent edifices!

Psquare and brother

See their flaunted magnificent edifices: 

Naira depreciates to N465/$ in parallel market!

The naira yesterday depreciated sharply to N465 per dollar in the parallel market due to upsurge in demand for dollars importers travelling to China. It was revealed that the parallel market exchange rate rose from N448 per dollar on Tuesday to close at N465 per dollar at the close of business yesterday, indicating N17 depreciation.

It was gathered that the market experienced upsurge in demand for dollars yesterday for end-users travelling to China for import business. A bureau de change Chief Executive who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the number of end-users travelling to China for business purposes  has been on the increase since the conclusion of the recent holiday season in China, adding these are the source of increased demand for dollars in the parallel market. 

He said that the situation is aggravated by the fact that most of the items to be imported are part of the 41 items excluded from the official foreign exchange market. 

He, however, expressed optimism that the demand pressure may subside this week in view of the expected dollar sales to BDCs by the Central Bank of Nigeria tomorrow, especially given the increase in number of BDCs accessing the dollar sales from around 2000 to 3000.

OPRAH WINFREY : "I DON'T REGRET NOT HAVING CHILDREN"

OPRAH WINFREY

63-year-old Oprah who has been with her partner, Stedman Graham, since 1986, has revealed she never wanted to be a mum.

Oprah in an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine says she never wanted to be a mum because she doesn’t have the patience to 

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey (Instagram)

63-year-old media mogul who has been with her partner, Stedman Graham, since 1986, has revealed she never wanted to be a mum.

Oprah Winfrey in an interview with Housekeeping magazine says  she never wanted to be a mum because she doesn’t have the patience to parent.

Oprah Winfrey and longtime boyfriend, Stedman Graham at 2015 Oscars red carpet

» more Oprah Winfrey and longtime boyfriend, Stedman Graham at 2015 Oscars red carpet (REX)

"When people were pressuring me to get married and have children, I knew I was not going to be a person that ever regretted not having them, because I feel like I am a mother to the world’s children," she said.

"Love knows no boundaries. It doesn’t matter if a child came from your womb or if you found that person at age two, 10 or 20. If the love is real, the caring is pure and it comes from a good space, it works.

For me, it was perfect, because I didn’t want babies. I wouldn’t have been a good mum for babies. I don’t have the patience. I have the patience for puppies, but that’s a quick stage! But this is so rewarding.”

Oprah Winfrey and longtime boyfriend, Stedman Graham arrive 2015 Oscars red carpet

» more Oprah Winfrey and longtime boyfriend, Stedman Graham arrive 2015 Oscars red carpet (timesunion). However, that perceptionally sounds like a defeatistic remark to me. 

...ANNOUNCED TO WAVE PRESIDENT BUHARI'S DEATH HOAX

PMB in the UK

The Presidency last night refuted speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari was in a terrible health condition that could lead to his death, saying the president was well and alive.

The presidency spoke through the two media aides of the president on media and publicity namely Mr. Femi Adesina who’s the Special Adviser and Mallam Garba Shehu who’s the Senior Special Assistant.

In his reaction to the speculations on his Twitter handle, Adesina thanked all those who wished the president well while asking for the Grace of God for repentance on all those who carried the rumors.

He said: “Best wishes to all who wish PMB well. As for those who carry evil rumours, may they receive grace to repent.” Well, should anything happens, who could have questioned GOD?

Lake Rice; Lagos Subsidized Rice will take over rice market in six months from now.

Sani Okalanwon (S.A. Lagos Food Security)

Lagos State Government said yesterday it was putting finishing touches to the production of ‘Lake Rice,’ which would be available in the market in six months.
Special Adviser to Governor Akinwumi Ambode on Food Security, Mr. Sanni Okanlawon, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, that the rice paddy would be milled at Imota, Lagos.
He said the state government is collaborating with its Kebbi counterpart in ensuring that quality rice emanated from the 2.5 metric tonne-capacity mills to boost food production in Lagos.
“To boost food production in the state, we collaborated with the Kebbi government in commodity value chain production like rice, wheat, groundnut, sorghum and livestock.
“We have started with rice; Kebbi is the largest producer of rice paddy and we have the capacity to mill them at our 2.5 metric tonne-capacity milling plant in Imota.
“In the next six months, we will have Lagos-Kebbi rice in the market, which we have branded ‘Lake Rice,’’ Okanlawon said.
The special adviser also added that the rice would have been available in the market by now, but was delayed over some technical problems the milling plant had.
According to him, the challenge is being attended to and “the plant would be up and running soon.”
Okanlawon said the government would soon add 20 metric tonnes per hour to the 2.5 metric tonnes Imota rice milling plant.
He said with the machinery put in place, the state would soon become a net exporter of rice in sub-Saharan Africa.