Ransomware Attack that Hit MedStar Hospitals

A hospital group MedStar within Washington D.C. is striving for returning to normal functioning following a ransomware assault that hit it. Ransomware refers to certain malware which locks users' access to data on their computers by encrypting all the files. Subsequently, the malware demands a ransom from the victimized users to be paid in digital currency so they would be given a decryption code to unlock their data.

According to MedStar, the happening was one malware attack; however, a few published reports state ransomware had contaminated MedStar's PC-network installed at the group's 250 clinics and 10 hospitals. Reportedly, the cyber-criminals had compromised and proliferated all over the networks that forced the hospital to shutdown the crippling systems; however, the problem was capable of getting solved if MedStar would send over $18,000 in Bitcoin. Wbaltv.com posted this dated March 31, 2016.

Meanwhile, it wasn't possible to reach the health officials of MedStar immediately to gather comment. Nevertheless, the institution, two days later, issued twin statements, without describing the malware type that contaminated its computers. One statement was about the IT professionals who were steadfast at retrieving access to the systems at 3 key clinical sites. Moreover, the statement indicated no compromise of patient data else related data.

In February 2016, hackers held hostage PCs of the Los Angeles-based Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC), utilizing the Locky ransomware. The Center took offline all its PCs for over a week, but eventually relented to the cyber-criminals via the payment of $17,000 worth of Bitcoins.

According to report by Baltimore Sun, the extortionists promised one huge decryption discount to MedStar -3 bitcoins for unlocking a single PC, else 45 bitcoins (approximately USD18,500) for decrypting all the PCs. The ransom was approximately same as the amount the hackers of HPMC demanded. President and Chief Executive Officer Allen Stefanek of HPMC stated that the most efficient and fasted method for retrieving his Center's systems was via making the payment.

A district doctor attached to a MedStar clinic said it was truly one extremely difficult circumstance for tackling, adding that it was like one severe warning to remaining medical centers.

» SPAMfighter News - 4/6/2016