EU Warns of 'United Response' to Cyber-Attacks

The European Union warned Monday that a cyber-attack on any one member state could merit a response by all members of the bloc, amid growing fears of hackers holding governments to ransom.

Last month, WannaCry, a huge ransomware attack linked to North Korea, wreaked global havoc after crippling computer networks at companies and government agencies worldwide.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg said the 28-nation bloc was "concerned by the increased ability and willingness of state and non-state actors to pursue their objectives through malicious cyber activities."

"Such activities may constitute wrongful acts under international law and could give rise to a joint EU response" which could include "restrictive measures" or sanctions, a statement said.

As well as the WannaCry attack, which demanded that victims pay to recover use of their computers, there have been increasing concerns about possible foreign intervention in core state activities such as elections.

It was a major theme in last year's US presidential campaign, with Moscow accused of trying to swing the vote in favour of Donald Trump, and fears have been voiced over what might happen in German elections in September.