By Wayne Boyd May 14, 2017: There are many aspects to this ransomware attack that have yet to be mentioned.
All of the systems attacked, it seems, are running older, unpatched, sometimes even illegally cloned versions of Microsoft Windows. The cyber attackers are using ransomware that exploits these older versions of Windows. Essentially they tell their victims that if they don’t pay their files will be deleted. If their system had been updated, then the attack would not have been successful. Everybody knows this.
Issue number one:

• Microsoft demanded money for an upgrade.
• When people didn’t pay up, cyber terrorists demanded money through ransomware.
• Microsoft did not orchestrate the attack, but essentially they did demand money for already functioning operating systems. People were sandwiched between two parties, both demanding money to keep their system safe.
• Microsoft did, after the fact, cave and provide upgrades for free.

Issue number two:

• There are alternate secure operating systems that do not cost money to purchase, install and keep upgraded.
• Save money, drop Windows, install Linux, run your hospital, package delivery company or government on open-source software.

Issue number three:

• Bitcoins. The alternative currency. It’s legal. It is so secure, in fact, that the cyber attackers are demanding they be paid in Bitcoins. This is the currency of the future. I read in an article that Bitcoins was a form of cyber currency used by criminals. Well, guess what? Criminals use paper money too, and non-criminals use Bitcoins too..