The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a warning regarding ransomware activity targeting health care facilities.
The particular strain of ransomware that has experts most worried is called Ryuk.
Dozens of hospitals have reportedly been hit by ransomware in recent months.
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Some hospitals arent waiting to be attacked and are taking steps that might once have been considered extreme.
The hospital is still functioning without email.
The hospital also saves back-up information thats not connected to the internet.
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Ransomware attacks on hospitals can have life or death consequences.
“If an attack is successful, the collateral damage can be significant,” Aslanian said.
The medical devices hospitals use are also vulnerable to attack.
Shutting down an entire hospitals email system sounds drastic.
But recent history shows that ransomware attacks on medical institutions can take lives.
