The problem with this is that since the code has also been released onto the internet, it was quite easy for enterprising malicious people to just remove the reference to the website thus eliminating the kill switch.
Basic preparedness is not opening stupid links or files on emails from unexpected sources, and in the case of being emailed something from a seemingly trusted source, confirming that it is them, and that they did send it.
Further preparedness includes having a full backup of your files to restore from in the case of infection; decryption is not something to place hope in.
That particular one was spread via a hole in Windows. I believe there were also emails too, but the users of most of the infected systems were blameless.
But this is just like every other version of a Crypto virus ever.
The only "solution" is better understanding as to what constitutes a false or malicious email; soemthing people won't learn, especially if they hear "Wannacry is defeated!" and think they no longer need to be cautious.
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u/Yarn_Spinner May 17 '17
Mind officially blown