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Wexford healthcare centre affected by global cyber attack

Wexford healthcare centre affected by global cyber attack

It has been confirmed a HSE-funded healthcare centre in Wexford has been affected by the global cyber attack.

The tech expert who stopped the attack in its tracks has identified Ireland as one of the affected countries.

Over 100 nations worldwide are working to combat the WANNACRY virus.

Here the Department of Communications has confirmed a number of Irish locations were targeted but only the Wexford incident was active and this has now been addressed.

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Europol said the cyber attack is on an "unprecedented" level.

The EU law enforcement agency also says it will require a "complex international investigation to identify the culprits".

The attack has paralysed much of the NHS in the UK and has affected more than 70 countries worldwide.

Minister for Communications Denis Naughten said the situation could still escalate here and encouraged people to take preventative measures.

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“The likelihood is that next week we may have other attacks recorded because there is a lot of legacy equipment, not just in the public sector but also in the private sector.

“What we are trying to do is make people aware of that and ensure that they download the required patch and that they keep software updated by downloading patches as they are required.”

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