American hospitals turning patients away as Ryuk Ransomware attacks
A Ryuk ransomware attack forced three Alabama hospitals to turn away “all but the most-critical new patients,” according to BBC. The ransomware attack infected computers at DCH Regional Medical Center, Fayette Medical Center and Northport Medical Center, all of which are operated by DCH Health System.
“A criminal is limiting our ability to use our computer systems in exchange for an as-yet unknown payment,” said DCH Health System.
DCH operates the three affected hospitals in Alabama. One cyber-security expert said the groups using ransomware were becoming increasingly well organized.
The Alabama hospital ransomware attack was reported on 1 October, DCH stated. Investigators have determined that Ryuk was used to encrypt files at the three Alabama hospitals, and there is no indication that any patient or employee data has been misused or removed from DCH systems.
“We will continue to divert any new admissions, other than those that are critical, to other facilities,” DCH said in its statement. Local ambulances have been asked to take patients to other local hospitals instead, where possible. Outpatients with appointments at any of the three hospitals were advised to call before attending them.
Over the weekend, the Tuscaloosa News said DCH officials made a payment to the people responsible for the ransomware attack. The report didn’t say how much officials paid. Saturday’s statement from DCH officials said they have obtained a decryption key but didn’t say how they obtained it.
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