Can a ransomware “kill”? If literally this seems absurd, the effects related to this type of attack can still cause death of some people.
This is confirmed by a recent report revealed by Emisoft, according to which this type of threat would cause the death of one American per month. The data processed by the cybersecurity company concerns ransomware attacks recorded by 2016 al 2021.
Although in the beginning cybercriminals targeted private companies e institutionstoday the situation has changed with schools and even hospitals in the sights of criminals.
It is precisely in these contexts that ransomware has been at its worst, with a constantly growing number of attacks. Compared to the past, however, attacking medical facilities can physically cause serious harm to people.
Ransomware and healthcare: patients’ lives are at risk
The cases, in this sense, are wasted. A recent example, dating back to November 2023, saw an attack on the institute Ardent Health Serviceswith a crisis involving ambulance traffic, complete with delays and enormous risks for the safety of patients.
There is also no shortage of attacks on provision of healthcare, with problems with hospital computer systems, with delayed visits and other problems. The most worrying aspect is that this is not a niche phenomenon.
In the year just ended, ransomware has hit the American healthcare system hard: we’re talking about 141 hospitals involved in attacks of this type.
The American government against ransomware
Overseas the situation has become so serious that even the American government has taken action. They were created for this purpose task force governativebut also international collaborations to curb the phenomenon.
There was no shortage of operations with a high media impact, complete with arrests e dismantling of entire networks. Yet, ransomware remains a constant and enduring threat.
According to Emsisoft, the only solution to achieve concrete results is prohibit by law the payment of ransoms. In this way it should be easier to make this type of crime less convenient for the various gangs who obtain enormous profits from it.