Recently, according to a report from Reuters, a major hospital operator in the US, Ascension, announced that nearly 5.6 million people were affected by a ransomware attack that occurred earlier this year. The incident compromised patient medical information, including medical records, test results, and insurance information.
Ransomware is a type of malware that cybercriminals often use to paralyze computer networks and then demand ransom payments in cryptocurrency, usually Bitcoin or other altcoins. This is how they maintain anonymity and confidentiality in transactions. Not only does this disrupt clinical operations, but it also poses a major threat to the security of medical data, which is extremely sensitive and important.
According to a statement from Ascension to the Maine Attorney General, the incident occurred on May 7 and 8, and the company blamed an unidentified “cybercriminal.” As of press time, Ascension has not commented further on the incident.
Ascension, founded in 1999 as a Catholic nonprofit, operates about 140 hospitals and serves 19 states and the District of Columbia. The incident has not only severely impacted Ascension but has also made other health care organizations more vigilant against similar attacks.
A notable point in recent ransomware attacks is the use of coins, such as Bitcoin and altcoins, not only as a means of payment but also as a means for criminals to maintain control over compromised databases. This clearly demonstrates the important role and potential risks that crypto technology is bringing to the world of high-tech crime.
This article uses information from Reuters. To continue to update the latest news about crypto and the cryptocurrency market, follow us!
