Ukraine security services have claimed that Russian security services were involved in the recent virus attack on Ukraine.
The international cyber attack caused disruption for major
organisations including advertising firm WPP, European bank BNP Paribas
and parts of the Ukrainian government's computer systems.
Europol, which helps EU member states fight international crime, said
the latest attack, the second in as many months, is more sophisticated
than one in May that affected the NHS among others.
The group is monitoring the spread of the virus.
Europol executive director Rob Wainwright said: "This is another
serious ransomware attack with global impact, although the number of
victims is not yet known.
"There are clear similarities with the WannaCry attack, but also
indications of a more sophisticated attack capability, intended to
exploit a range of vulnerabilities.
"It is a demonstration of how cybercrime evolves."
In the attack, the virus encrypted computer files and then demanded
payment of 300 dollars (£235) ransom in the online currency bitcoin in
exchange for the captured data.
Ukraine was the worst affected by the ransom-demanding virus.
