The scourge of malware attacks against hospitals continued this week, including a ransomware assault targeting Henderson, Ky.-based Methodist Hospital and another possible ransomware incident at two Southern California facilities.
According to Krebs on Security, Methodist Hospital declared an "Internal State of Emergency" due to a Locky ransomware attack launched on Friday, Mar. 18 that cut off web-based services and electronic communications for five days. However, in a Healthcare IT News report today, the hospital confirmed that it managed to regain control of its systems without paying the cybercriminals who requested a ransom of four bitcoins.
In another report today from Kaiser Health News, later confirmed by SCMagazine.com, hackers have attacked Chino Valley Medical Center in Chino, Calif., and Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville, Calif. Both facilities are operated by Prime Healthcare Services of Ontario, Calif. It is not yet clear if the malware is ransomware.
The attack has disrupted computer servers but according to Prime Healthcare it has not compromised patients' records or safety.
