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Marcus Hutchins: The Man Who Stopped WannaCry

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On Friday 12th May, a malware that came to be known as WannaCry was gripping computers across the world and encrypting data. The only way one could get back one’s data was to pay the ransom the hackers were demanding in Bitcoins. This ransom amounted to around $300.
When Marcus Hutchins – also known as @MalwareTech, returned from lunch, he found that many National Health Services employees computers were infected by this malware. That’s when he realized it was something serious. The malware had already infected 74 countries and was rapidly infecting much more when he noticed that the ransomware kept searching for a URL after infecting a system. As long as the as the domain wasn’t registered, the malware would continue on with its journey.

Read more: WannaCry Ransomware: The Next Generation Blackmail?

With the intention to better understand the malware and monitor how it was spreading Marcus bought the domain for $10.69. The ‘Kill Switch’ was hardcoded into the malware in case the creators wanted to quickly deactivate the infection. While initial reports showed that they had caused the infection by registering the domain, it was actually the other way round. Registering the domain brought the infection to a standstill. His job is to look for ways to track and potentially stop botnets and other kinds of malware, Hutchins explained in his blog post.

But, he warns people that this is far from over as the attackers can realize how their malware was stopped, change the code and start again. Unfortunately, many reports suggest that other samples of WannaCry have emerged with different kill switch domains and also without the kill switch function.
Experts claim that the hackers seem to have raised $20,000 so far and the malware has effectively infected 150 countries including India. The best way to protect a computer against this malware, experts say is to update the patches for computers, have a backup for your data, and be wary of malicious content.

 

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Dunzo Gets Breather as NCLT Rejects Insolvency Petition from Invoice Discounters

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Dunzo

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Bengaluru bench has dismissed an insolvency plea filed against quick commerce startup Dunzo by its invoice discounters, declaring the petition “not maintainable” after several postponements. This decision offers temporary relief to Dunzo, which has been facing multiple insolvency petitions from various creditors, including Velvin Packaging Solutions and Betterplace Safety Solutions, over unpaid dues.

The invoice discounters alleged that Dunzo had paid only 50% of the required amounts, though the exact sum was not disclosed. Despite ongoing settlement talks, no resolution was reached, and the tribunal noted Dunzo’s delays in responding to creditor petitions. Dunzo continues to grapple with severe liquidity issues, delayed payments, and significant losses—reporting a ₹1,801.8 crore loss in FY23 and owing approximately ₹11.4 crore to major vendors like Google India and Facebook India.

While this NCLT ruling provides Dunzo some breathing room, the company still faces ongoing financial and operational challenges as it works to resolve its outstanding liabilities.

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How a Golden Retriever Became the Heart and Soul of a Hyderabad Startup’s Workplace

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Golden Retriever in workplace

Hyderabad-based startup Harvesting Robotics has won hearts online by appointing a golden retriever named Denver as its Chief Happiness Officer (CHO). Denver, introduced by co-founder Rahul Arepaka in a viral LinkedIn post, has quickly become the star of the office, spreading joy and boosting morale among employees. The company is now officially pet-friendly, a move Arepaka calls their “best decision.”

Denver’s new role has sparked widespread attention, with thousands liking and commenting on the announcement. Many see Denver’s presence as more than just a cute story—it highlights a growing trend of pet-friendly workplaces that prioritize employee well-being and happiness. As companies increasingly focus on holistic wellness, Denver’s appointment shows that sometimes, a wagging tail is the best way to brighten the workday.

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Info Edge Shareholders Approve ₹1,000 Crore Investment in New Venture Fund

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Info Edge

Info Edge (India) Ltd shareholders have overwhelmingly approved an investment of up to ₹1,000 crore in the company’s third venture capital fund, Info Edge Ventures Fund III. The proposal received near-unanimous backing, with 99.9995% of valid votes in favor out of 1,274 participants.

Smartweb Internet Services Ltd, a wholly owned Info Edge subsidiary, will act as sponsor and investment manager for the new fund. This move strengthens Info Edge’s commitment to backing early-stage startups and expanding its footprint in India’s venture capital landscape.

Info Edge has a strong track record as an early investor in leading Indian startups like Zomato and PB Fintech, with combined holdings in these firms valued at ₹31,500 crore ($3.7 billion) as of March 31, 2025.

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