Companies and organisations are being hit by ransomware attacks all the time. And, normally, the impact on current and former customers of the affected firms are more likely to be inconvenienced rather than be put in any direct peril themselves.
But the nature of ransomware is changing, as online criminals might seek to not just extort money by encrypting an organisation’s data files but also threaten to find other ways to monetise data they might have stolen from compromised computer systems.
Take the Center for Facial Restoration (TCFFR) in Miramar, Florida, for instance. As the owner of the plastic surgery, Richard Davis MD, explains on its website, the organisation was hit by ransomware in November 2019:
“On November 8, 2019, I received an anonymous communication from cyber criminals stating that my “clinic’s server (was) breached”. The hackers claimed to have “the complete patient’s data” for TCFFR that “can be publicly exposed or traded to third parties”. They demanded a ransom negotiation, and as of November 29, 2019, about 15-20 patients have since contacted TCFFR to report individual ransom demands from the attackers threatening the public release of their photos and personal information unless unspecified ransom demands are negotiated and met.”
Going to a plastic surgeon for some rhinoplastery (“nose job”) can be a deeply personal decision, and many people may feel highly uncomfortable with the notion that hackers not only know their personal information, but also might have photographs of their “before” and “after”. One can easily imagine that things become even more uncomfortable if it’s other parts of your body that you’ve had “tweaked”. ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
