A massive ransomeware attack started to hit organizations and individuals today, leveraging a vulnerability in the Windows operating system that could be activated by clicking on a malicious link in an email.

The attack has been reported on by anti-virus software makers Avast, as well as media outlets worldwide.

The malicious software, dubbed WanaCrypt0r 2.0, has already been detected more than 75,000 time in 99 countries, says Avast.

Windows users can protect themselves by applying a patch released in March of this year. However, if a computer is already affected, the patch will not be affected.

There are reports that your computer could be affected if your Windows computer is on a wifi network where another user has been infected.

Once infected, users are asked to pay a ransom of 300 bitcoins.

Please take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Install all Microsoft patches, particularly the critical security update from March that addressed this issue.
• Be extremely careful when clicking on links in emails, as well as online forums.
• Be extremely careful using public wifi, as an unpatched computer could be infected by WanaCrypt.
• Make sure all staff members on your company network are educated about the best practices for avoiding phishing and ransomware attacks.

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