Ransomware attacks on US hospitals put patients at risk


Ransomware attacks have forced some hospitals to disrupt chemotherapy, delay reporting lab results and postpone appointments for maternity patients. Some have had to divert ambulances because their emergency rooms couldn’t accept new patients. — Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash

A University of Vermont Medical Centre employee accidentally opened an emailed file from her homeowners association, which had been hacked, in October 2020.

That one mistake eventually led to the University of Vermont Health Network, which includes the state’s largest hospital in Burlington, having to cancel surgeries, put off mammogram appointments and delay some cancer patients’ treatments.

Subscribe to The Star Yearly Premium Plan for 30% off

Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.39/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Tech News

India's financial crime fighting agency summons Google, Meta executives, sources say
Keanu Reeves pays AI firm thousands a month to stop online imitators: report
Opinion: The human brain doesn’t learn, think or recall like an AI. Embrace the difference
Nvidia is the first US$4 trillion company. Here are three things to know
Net zero? Zero chance: AI emissions to exceed air travel, report says
Crypto exchange Bullish's US IPO filing reveals quarterly loss
Perplexity in talks with phone makers to pre-install Comet AI mobile browser on devices
Crypto sector breaches $4 trillion in market value during pivotal week
Trump signs stablecoin law as crypto industry aims for mainstream adoption
OpenAI launches $50 million fund to support nonprofits, community organizations

Others Also Read