Security experts are studying a computer software virus that has affected computers in at least 150 countries. The cyber-attack, first reported last Friday, hit companies, government agencies and hospitals across the world. Attackers used malware, which infects computers and takes control of user data. The infection encrypts the records and blocks use of computer files. The virus can spread quickly to other electronic devices linked to the infected computer. The cyber-attack was described by experts as ransomware. They chose this term because the computer is held hostage until the hackers receive a ransom payment. Officials said affected computers received a message demanding payment of $300 to unlock data. Victims were told the ransom would rise to $600 within three days. Security experts said paying the money did not guarantee a fix for infected computers.
Title: 'Ransomware' Affects Computers Worldwide
Content: <div id='article-page'><div id='article-content' data-media-url='//news-app-staging.s3.amazonaws.com' data-base-url='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/ransomware.m4a' data-capture-url='//staging.analytics.lingraphica.com/events/capture_news' data-article-title=''Ransomware' Affects Computers Worldwide' data-article-id='2382'><script src='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/javascripts/getscripts.js'></script><link rel='stylesheet' href='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/stylesheets/article.css' type='text/css' /><div class='article'><p><span data-start-time='0' data-end-time='12833'>Security experts are studying a computer software virus that has affected computers in at least 150 countries.</span> <span data-start-time='12833' data-end-time='25667'>The cyber-attack, first reported last Friday, hit companies, government agencies and hospitals across the world.</span> <span data-start-time='25667' data-end-time='34979'>Attackers used malware, which infects computers and takes control of user data.</span> <span data-start-time='34979' data-end-time='42208'>The infection encrypts the records and blocks use of computer files.</span> <span data-start-time='42208' data-end-time='50729'>The virus can spread quickly to other electronic devices linked to the infected computer.</span> <span data-start-time='50729' data-end-time='57063'>The cyber-attack was described by experts as ransomware.</span> <span data-start-time='57063' data-end-time='67271'>They chose this term because the computer is held hostage until the hackers receive a ransom payment.</span> <span data-start-time='67271' data-end-time='78354'>Officials said affected computers received a message demanding payment of $300 to unlock data.</span> <span data-start-time='78354' data-end-time='86583'>Victims were told the ransom would rise to $600 within three days.</span> <span data-start-time='86583' data-end-time='96146'>Security experts said paying the money did not guarantee a fix for infected computers.</span> </p></div><div class='control-buttons-sticky' style='display:none;'><div class='control-buttons'><button title='Back' class='back' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Play' class='play' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Pause' class='pause' style='display:none;'></button><button title='Forward' class='forward' disabled='disabled'></button><button class='finished-reading' style='display:none;'>Done</button></div></div></div><div id='article-media'><div id='media-image'><img src='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/ransomware.jpg'/></div></div><div id='question-content' style='display:none;'><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=8651 data-hint-location='67271' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/what_was_the_demand.m4a'>What was the demand?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='payment'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/data.m4a'><span>data</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/payment.m4a'><span>payment</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/security.m4a'><span>security</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/information.m4a'><span>information</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=8652 data-hint-location='57063' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/what_does_hostage_mean.m4a'>What does hostage mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='held as security'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/held_as_security.m4a'><span>held as security</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/offer_payment.m4a'><span>offer payment</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/threaten.m4a'><span>threaten</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/take_control.m4a'><span>take control</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=8653 data-hint-location='12833' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/the_attack_hit_government_agencies_and__blank_.m4a'>The attack hit government agencies and <span class='blank'>hospitals</span>.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='hospitals'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/infections.m4a'><span>infections</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/printers.m4a'><span>printers</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/hospitals.m4a'><span>hospitals</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1865/schools.m4a'><span>schools</span></div></div></div><div class='question-buttons'><button class='skip-button'></button><button class='hint-button'></button><button class='speak-button'></button></div></div></div>
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