No Need to Worry about Using the Internet: Minister Rudiantara

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the global cyber attacks in the last few days, the Indonesian government has assured its people they need not to worry about the spread of malware WannaCry when using the internet.

"I hope there is no phobia regarding the use of internet. People should not be afraid to use it," Rudiantara, Communication and Information Minister, said during a press broadcast of Indonesian Association of Internet Service Provider (APJII), Tuesday.

According to him, the ministry was already working hard to inform people on how to avoid the WannaCry ransomware and minimize its effect on infected computers.

The minister pointed out that the solution towards the attack was simple.

Infection could be avoided by simply cutting off the computer from the network for a moment and backing up the data.

Rudiantara said his team had only received two reports regarding WannaCry so far. They were National Cancer Hospital Dharmais and Heart Hospital Harapan Kita.

In those two institutions, the computer systems have been restored to working condition, he added.

In anticipation of the cyber attack, the ministry had secured the three strategic sectors of monetary, transportation and energy by holding a security cooperation with OJK (Financial Services Authority) head Mulyaman Hadad, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Johan and Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.

The ministry was also coordinating with APJII company members to cut networks temporarily to prevent infection.

APJII head Jamalul Izza said all Internet Service Providers under its membership had taken quick measures to strengthen their security.

"We have filtered everything; we also asked them to advise their customers on how to prevent attacks," Izza said.

ANTARA