Minnesota Mental Health Facility Falls Victim to Ransomware Attack
Associates in Psychiatry and Psychology, located in Rochester, Minnesota discovered its files had been locked with the ransomware variant deemed Triple-M on March 31, 2018. Beyond locking the facility’s files, the attack also disabled the computers’ system restore functions and reformatted the network storage device; which was particularly frustrating, considering this is where the practice kept its local backups.
The data stored on the affected computers included patient names, addresses, birthdates, social security numbers, as well as insurance and treatment data. Fortunately, the Minnesota facility kept all of this information encrypted for security purposes.
After officials determined there had been a ransomware attack, all systems were taken offline, in an attempt to prevent further spread of the malware. Systems remained offline for four days; meanwhile, the clinic launched an investigation. The organization could not find any evidence that patient data was compromised.
According to Becker’s Hospital Review, the mental health facility decided to pay the ransom, of $3,673.78 on May 30, 2018.
Other Ransomware Attacks
For a list of ransomware attacks that have already taken place in 2018, you may click here. We have also created a map, see below, of the ransomware attacks that have taken place in the U.S.
