A Los Angeles hospital has paid 40 Bitcoins, worth roughly $16,700, for access back to its network that was taken down in a type of hack called “ransomware” at the beginning of February.
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“The malware locked access to certain computer systems and prevented us from sharing communications electronically”, Stefanek said.
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center announced the breach of its computer network and its choice to pay the hackers for a decryption key in a Wednesday statement.
After paying the ransom, the hospital restored the systems Monday and cleared all malware, he added. The hospital didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment and hasn’t elaborated on how far the attack has spread, what kind of ransomware infected its network, or how it was even infected in the first place. The demands typically track with the nuisance value of not having to restore databases and computer systems.
In what should be the best recommendation for backups ever in the history of computing a Los Angeles hospital has been struck by ransomware and can not access patient records, x-rays, and other important data.
Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts data and system files on a computer and demands payment of a ransom to unscramble the files.
CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is an acute care facility that has been caring for the Hollywood community and surrounding areas since 1924.
While it is unusual for businesses hit by hackers to pay ransoms, Stefanek reasoned it best to do so in this case. It will continue to work with security consultants, local authorities, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who are investigating the matter.
There’s been a steady rise in the number of such attacks, according to a report released last November by Intel Corp.’s McAfee Labs.
The hospital did not say whether anyone had recommended it pay off the hackers.
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Neither law enforcement nor the hospital gave any indication of who might have been behind the attack or whether there are any suspects.
