[2016-04-08] Criminal hackers now target hospitals, police stations and schools

[Scream]

Three weeks ago, a debilitating digital virus spread quickly in computer networks at three Southern California hospitals owned by Prime Healthcare Services.

Using a pop-up window, hackers demanded about $17,000 in the hard-to-trace cybercurrency called Bitcoin to destroy the virus they had implanted. The virus had encrypted medical and other data so it was impossible to access.

The company says it defeated the cyberattack without paying a ransom. But it acknowledged some cancer patients were temporarily prevented from receiving radiology treatments, and other operations were disrupted briefly while computer systems were down.


http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-0407-cyber-hospital-20160407-story.html

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[tyz]

I find this approach absolute unethical as it could cost lives. Somewhere these people should draw a line.
There is in my opinion a big difference between hacking a bank or a cooperation and hacking hospitals or schools.

[arseaboy]

I find this approach absolute unethical as it could cost lives. Somewhere these people should draw a line.
There is in my opinion a big difference between hacking a bank or a cooperation and hacking hospitals or schools.

this argument is correct those hackers should stop doing this there are big difference between banks and corporation, hospitals and schools needed strong security I think government should be alarm about this.

[richardsNY]

I find this approach absolute unethical as it could cost lives. Somewhere these people should draw a line.
There is in my opinion a big difference between hacking a bank or a cooperation and hacking hospitals or schools.

I get your point and agree 100% with it, however, these hackers don't care at all about the trail of destruction that they leave behind. If a hospital gets hacked and the patients suffer from this, then it shows what type of people these hackers are. They just want to see money coming their way at all costs.

[bitbaby]

The company says it defeated the cyberattack without paying a ransom.

This is the part I like and would like to know how they achieved this. But however they did, this would be these hackers first failed attempt and hopefully if others also start taking precautions like mentioned in the article, these attacks can be prevented.

Companies should train employees not to open digital attachments or to click on unfamiliar Web links in emails that might contain viruses or other malware, Stangl said. They also should back up critical data and use up-to-date virus detection software.

[aso118]

The company says it defeated the cyberattack without paying a ransom.

This is the part I like and would like to know how they achieved this. But however they did, this would be these hackers first failed attempt and hopefully if others also start taking precautions like mentioned in the article, these attacks can be prevented.

Companies should train employees not to open digital attachments or to click on unfamiliar Web links in emails that might contain viruses or other malware, Stangl said. They also should back up critical data and use up-to-date virus detection software.

While this hospital defeated the cyberattack, cops seem to have paid the ransom. 
http://in.pcmag.com/software/39210/news/maine-police-pay-ransomware-demand-in-bitcoin
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/21/us-police-force-pay-bitcoin-ransom-in-cryptolocker-malware-scam

[jacktheking]

Good to know that the hospital found a way to delete the virus without paying any ransom. This (the virus) of application is not helping Bitcoin at all. We the Bitcoin community (with so many developers) should also try to find ways to help unlock the locker - for free. This will at least tell the world that not all Bitcoiners and criminal.