Abortions, drug use exposed in cyberattack on Australian health insurer

Medibank’s experience represents a nightmare scenario for companies and organisations attacked by ransomware, a type of cyberattack in which a victim’s data is encrypted until a payment is made to unlock it. — AFP

When the Australian health insurer Medibank Private Ltd was hit with a ransomware attack last month, it provided regular updates to its customers, including the revelation that personal information from nearly 10 million of them was exposed. It also followed the government’s guidance on how to respond to the extortion demand.

Medibank didn’t pay the ransom. But that plan hasn’t worked out so well.