Ransomware attack on Planned Parenthood exposes personal data of 400,000 patients
Ransomware attack on Planned Parenthood exposes personal data of 400,000 patients
Update: 6:54 PM PST December 1, 2021
The Los Angeles chapter of Planned Parenthood was hit by a ransomware attack in October that compromised the personal information of about 400,000 patients, the healthcare provider said. John Erickson, a spokesman for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, said in an email notice to CNN. “Unfortunately, we do not know the identity of the person responsible, which is not unusual in these situations. However, we have no indication that this was a targeted attack. .” Erickson said the case was limited to the Los Angeles chapter of Planned Parenthood and that there was no evidence that the stolen information was used for fraudulent purposes. Erickson did not immediately respond to questions Wednesday night about whether hackers demanded a ransom or what kind of ransomware was used. Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel pipelines in the United States. In November, the head of the US Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency, General Paul Nakasone said the US government has targeted sources of funding for ransomware operations, many of Some of them are based in Russia and Eastern Europe and have made millions of dollars in extortion. Even though the coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on hospitals and other health clinics, many cybercriminals still fail to refrain from holding those facilities’ computer systems hostage. . According to Allan Liska, senior intelligence analyst at cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, there have been more than 100 publicly reported ransomware attacks on healthcare providers in 2020, more than doubled in 2019. That included a wave of cyberattacks at US hospitals in the fall of 2020. An incident forced University of Vermont Health Network hospitals to delay their appointments. Chemo appointment and mammogram.
The healthcare provider said Wednesday the healthcare provider said the chapter of Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles had been hit with ransomware.
Follow a violation notice organization sent to the victims.
“Law enforcement has been notified of this incident,” John Erickson, a spokesman for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, said in an email to CNN. “Unfortunately, we don’t know the identity of the person responsible, which is not uncommon in these situations. However, we have no indication that this was a targeted attack. “
Erickson said the case was limited to the chapter of Planned Parenthood’s Los Angeles and there was no evidence that the stolen information was used for fraudulent purposes. Erickson did not immediately respond to questions Wednesday night about whether the hackers demanded a ransom or what kind of ransomware was used.
washington articles first report about the incident.
Last year saw several major ransomware attacks, including one that targeted and impeded the Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest US fuel pipelines. In November, the head of the US Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency, General Paul Nakasone said the US government has targeted sources of funding for ransomware operations, many of Some of them are based in Russia and Eastern Europe and have made millions of dollars in extortion. companies.
Despite the enormous damage the coronavirus pandemic has caused to hospitals and other health clinics, many cybercriminals have refrained from keeping the computer systems of such facilities as slaves. believe. According to Allan Liska, senior intelligence analyst at cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, there have been more than 100 publicly reported ransomware attacks on healthcare providers in 2020, more than doubled in 2019. That included a wave of computer cyberattacks at US hospitals in the fall of 2020. An incident forced University of Vermont Health Network hospitals to delay their appointments. Chemo appointment and mammogram.
https://www.kcra.com/article/ransomware-attack-on-planned-parenthood-exposes-patients-personal-data/38406074 Ransomware attack on Planned Parenthood exposes personal data of 400,000 patients
