This week, the US Department of Justice seized about $500,000 in bitcoins from North Korean hackers. These used the Maui ransom software (so-called ransomware) to attack healthcare organizations in the United States. Ransomware is malicious software that takes personal data hostage. To do this, ransomware encrypts personal data. Then, he asks their owner to send money in exchange for the key that will decrypt them.
The $500,000 in bitcoins (BTC) should be redistributed to the victims of hacker attacks
The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit in the District of Kansas demanding that the bitcoin take be returned to the victims of the attacks. These are health care providers established in Kansas and Colorado.
Healthcare organizations in the United States are the most vulnerable to ransomware attacks
While ransomware is a new phenomenon, healthcare organizations are the most vulnerable. The number of ransomware attacks against healthcare facilities increased by 94% between 2021 and 2022, according to a report by cybersecurity company Sophos. More than two-thirds of healthcare organizations in the United States suffered a ransomware attack in 2021. In 2020, this percentage amounted to 34%.
Healthcare organizations, ideal targets for hackers
These health organizations are targeted because their data pays big. Under Experian, health care data is extremely lucrative. The files cost $1,000 each, which is significantly higher than credit card reports that cost $5 to $10 apiece on the black market. Experian is a data company and customer relationship management tools, particularly focused on credit risk, fraud prevention, etc.
Cryptocurrencies are omnipresent in the markets of the dark Web. They are also known to be sometimes used for illegal online operations. Fortunately, the American authorities were responsive and the $500,000 in bitcoins have been seized. These incidents make us reflect on the vulnerability and risks new Web3.0 infrastructures. As well as on the illegal uses of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
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Student passionate about entrepreneurship and fascinated by the technologies behind cryptos! Yes, I am convinced that the two are intimately linked: blockchain and NFTs are revolutionizing many sectors and present unprecedented opportunities.
