Posted on Dec 7, 2023
Hundreds of patients receive threatening emails after Fred Hutch cyberattack
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Hundreds of people who have been patients at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have received threatening emails following a cyberattack on the institution’s networks in November.
The cancer center said it detected unauthorized activity on its clinical network on Nov. 19, 2023.
The cybersecurity incident specifically involved Fred Hutch systems, but those systems also house some University of Washington Medicine patient data.
According to a statement from Fred Hutch, the impacted servers have been quarantined, the clinical network was taken offline as a protective measure, and an investigation is ongoing to identify the extent of the breach.
A spokesperson said via email that Fred Hutch has received approximately 300 calls from patients who have received similar emails.
The emails claim information for 800,000 patients has been compromised — including names, social security numbers, medical and insurance information, lab results and more — and demands payment to prevent the sale of that data.
Fred Hutch was not able to confirm what information has been compromised or speculate about how many people may be affected.
The cancer center said it detected unauthorized activity on its clinical network on Nov. 19, 2023.
The cybersecurity incident specifically involved Fred Hutch systems, but those systems also house some University of Washington Medicine patient data.
According to a statement from Fred Hutch, the impacted servers have been quarantined, the clinical network was taken offline as a protective measure, and an investigation is ongoing to identify the extent of the breach.
A spokesperson said via email that Fred Hutch has received approximately 300 calls from patients who have received similar emails.
The emails claim information for 800,000 patients has been compromised — including names, social security numbers, medical and insurance information, lab results and more — and demands payment to prevent the sale of that data.
Fred Hutch was not able to confirm what information has been compromised or speculate about how many people may be affected.
Hundreds of patients receive threatening emails after Fred Hutch cyberattack
Posted from kuow.org
Email
Cancer
Cyber
Cybersecurity
Hacking
Posted 5 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."“If individuals detect any suspicious activity on an account, they should promptly notify the financial institution or company that maintains the account. They should also promptly report any fraudulent activity or any suspected incidents of identity theft to appropriate law enforcement authorities, including the police, as well as the Federal Trade Commission,” the statement said.
Based on the information available, VerHeul said the group responsible for the hack appears to be outside the U.S.
Fred Hutch has notified federal law enforcement and is working with a forensic security firm to investigate the incident.
VerHeul was not able to give information about when the investigation would be complete, but said the institution is working to complete it soon as possible.
She said anyone whose information was involved will be contacted directly."
..."“If individuals detect any suspicious activity on an account, they should promptly notify the financial institution or company that maintains the account. They should also promptly report any fraudulent activity or any suspected incidents of identity theft to appropriate law enforcement authorities, including the police, as well as the Federal Trade Commission,” the statement said.
Based on the information available, VerHeul said the group responsible for the hack appears to be outside the U.S.
Fred Hutch has notified federal law enforcement and is working with a forensic security firm to investigate the incident.
VerHeul was not able to give information about when the investigation would be complete, but said the institution is working to complete it soon as possible.
She said anyone whose information was involved will be contacted directly."
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