Bhubaneswar, May 19: The government today announced the launch of an awareness campaign on the WannaCry ransomware that sent computer systems across the globe, including in Odisha, into lockdown.

It will also issue a toll-free number to lodge complaints and get expert advice on ways to tackle the malware (malicious software).

A ransomware encrypts files and locks the user out of the system. Once a computer comes under attack, the data in the system is locked and the hackers demand payment of US$ 300 for a decryption key to unlock the system.

They provide an online postal code and direct the victims to make the payment only in Bitcoin, the crypto-currency not controlled by any financial body, but used widely across the globe for online transactions.

The decision to launch the awarenss campaign was taken at a high-level meeting cha-ired by IT minister Chandra Sarathi Behera.

Home secretary Asit Tripathy and state crime branch director-general B.K. Sharma attended the meeting.

Behera said: "We have decided to issue simple guidelines to educate people regarding the problems and necessary measures to be taken to deal with it. During our campaign, we will focus on the use of registered versions of the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office and updated anti-virus software. The campaign will also tell people about ways to avoid malicious e-mails and websites."

Yesterday, the WannaCry ransomware infected systems at a co-operative bank in Titlagarh in Balangir district, forcing officials to stop all banking transactions at the branch.

Behera said: "As the bank manager has followed the government guidelines and backed up the data, all its information is safe."

Tripathy said: "Necessary instructions on keeping computers safe from cyber attacks have already been issued."

The attack on the bank was the second such instance in the state after Wednesday's attack on Berhampur City Hospital's information management system, which had affected its e-medicine services.

Speaking about that case, the crime branch top cop said: "The crime branch team probing into the attack has already begun its investigations at the hospital and Purusattampur Community Health Centre in Ganjam."