North Korean masterminds were behind WannaCry cyber attack, says White House

A cyber-attack which paralysed NHS computer networks and led to the cancellation of almost 20,000 medical appointments was masterminded from North Korea, a White House expert said today.

Tom Bossert, President Trump’s homeland security adviser, said the Pyongyang was “directly responsible” for the ransomware attack in May which crippled computers around the world.

Bossert told the Wall Street Journal: “After careful investigation, the US today publicly attributes the massive WannaCry cyber-attack to Kim Jong Un’s regime. The attack spread indiscriminately across the world in May.

“It encrypted and rendered useless hundreds of thousands of computers in hospitals, schools, businesses and homes.

“While victims received ransom demands, paying did not unlock their computers. It was cowardly, costly and careless.

“The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible.”

The UK and Microsoft reached similar conclusions in their analysis of WannaCry with Home Office minister Ben Wallace saying in October the government believed “quite strongly” that North Korea was the prime suspect.

The attack began on May 12 and infected machines 81 health trusts across England, plus computers at about 600 GP surgeries.

Hard drives and databases were locked up by hackers demanded payment in the digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin to unscramble them.

A National Audit Office report found that almost 19,500 medical appointments, including 139 potential cancer referrals, were estimated to have been cancelled.

Five hospitals had to divert ambulances away from their wards after being locked out.

The report found the attack could have been prevented if “basic IT security” measures had been taken.