Hackers Encrypt Australian Medical Center Data, Demand $4,000 (€3,100) Ransom

Cybercriminals, apparently from Russia, have encrypted sensitive information – including patient records – stored on the servers of Australian Miami Family Medical Centre. Now, the attackers are demanding $4,000 (€3,100) to decrypt the data.

According to ABC News, the organization’s representatives claim that they have antivirus solutions set in place and they reveal that no traces of malware have been found.

“They literally got in, hijacked the server and then ran their encryption software,” David Wood, the co-owner medical center, said.

An IT firm has been called in to try to recover the information from backups. After analyzing the encryption system, experts have concluded that – although it’s not recommended – the only solution to recover the encrypted data might be to pay the ransom.

In the meantime, the Miami Family Medical Centre continues to operate, but the task is not easy without patient records.