Many times before, we have discussed about the changing preferences of ransomware operators. If we specifically review the ransomware attacks in this year, it is quite apparent that cryptovirological cybercriminals are focusing on targeting the companies with public databases. For such entities, it is always a tough decision to pick between ransomware removal activities or payment of ransom to deal with the attack.
A similar ransomware attack took place in Australia last month, where a database of Family Planning New South Wales (NSW) was compromised by the cryptographic operators. Under a new legislation, the targeted companies are obligated to inform their consumers about any instance of a data breach.
Therefore, Family Planning NSW has revealed the details of the attack. According to the organization’s official statement, personal information of more than 8,000 clients, who used their services in the last two and a half years, was compromised in the attack.
It is worth mentioning that the attack happened on ANZAC day of remembrance and Family Planning NSW was not the only organization hit by a ransomware strain that day. The attackers targeted multiple entities that were using the same software applications.
The attackers demanded $15,000 in Bitcoin for ransomware removal. However, the organization refused to comply with the attacker’s demand and took its website offline to commence ransomware removal measures.
The organization has also made it clear the critical patient information was not compromised in the attack and the operators could only able to lay their hands on the information submitted by the clients through appointment and feedback forms available on the website.
The organization has assured the clients that their internal medical records are not linked to the compromised web forms. Patients are sensitive about their confidential health information and such data breaches can be damaging for affected companies, even if they don’t lose any data to the attackers.
In a recent report, Australian telecommunication giant Telstra reveals that the rate of ransomware attacks on Australian businesses have increased manifold. Moreover, organizations dealing in medical care have been targeted more frequently from the last couple of months.
