• Blog
  • Services
    • PHIshMD Ongoing Training
    • HIPAA Compliance
    • Discover Vulnerabilities to Patient PHI
  • Store
    • HIPAA Secure Now Service Store
  • Contact Us
    • Sales Inquiry
    • Customer Support
  • Resources
    • Free Healthcare Security Check Up Quiz
    • HIPAA Compliance Requirements | A Guide
    • Webinars & Downloadable Content
    • Use our free Breach Cost Calculator
    • HIPAA Secured Seal
    • In-Email Training & Analysis | Catch Phish

Call us at: 877-275-4545

Client or Partner? Login here
HIPAA Secure Now!HIPAA Secure Now!
  • Blog
  • Services
    • PHIshMD Ongoing Training
    • HIPAA Compliance
    • Discover Vulnerabilities to Patient PHI
  • Store
    • HIPAA Secure Now Service Store
  • Contact Us
    • Sales Inquiry
    • Customer Support
  • Resources
    • Free Healthcare Security Check Up Quiz
    • HIPAA Compliance Requirements | A Guide
    • Webinars & Downloadable Content
    • Use our free Breach Cost Calculator
    • HIPAA Secured Seal
    • In-Email Training & Analysis | Catch Phish

New ransomware is bad news for healthcare organizations

May 1, 2016 Posted by Art Gross HIPAA Violations No Comments

cryptxxx



Well that didn’t take long. In a recent article I made the case that newer variations of ransomware could result in a reportable HIPAA breach. I argued that if ransomware not only encrypted the victim’s files but also copied the files off of a computer or allowed access to the files, then the result could be a reportable breach.

CryptXXX Ransomware

A relatively new variation of ransomware called CryptXXX has been identified. Like older variations, the malware encrypts a victims files and demands a ransom to release the files. The ransom averages about $500.

But this variation not only encrypts the files, it also copies data off of the victim’s computer. According to an article over at Enigma Software, an anti-malware vendor, CryptXXX ransomware collects or copies information:

The CryptXXX Ransomware can collect files, passwords, and other data, focusing on login credentials from the victim’s instant messenger applications, email clients, FTP programs, and Internet browsers particularly. The CryptXXX Ransomware also may collect BitCoin wallet credentials according to reports from PC security researchers.

As I argued in the previous article:

But as I mentioned, more sophisticated ransomware is starting to show up. And as ransomware evolves and starts copying data off of servers or desktops and/or starts loading other malware that may capture keystrokes or allow access to a system by a third party, breach determination is not so cut and dry.

To determine if a ransomware attack would result in a reportable breach, we can use the same methodology that we used to determine if a stolen or lost laptop would result in a reportable breach. Can forensics help determine if the ransomware allowed a third party access to the organization’s network? Did the third party view or access PHI? Did the ransomware copy PHI off of the organization’s network? Which PHI was copied?

Most Sophisticated Variants Coming

While CryptXXX may be one of the first ransomware variants to copy data off of a victim’s computer it probably will not be the last. Stealing passwords and BitCoin wallet credentials make an even more powerful tool than just encrypting a victim’s data. Criminals will soon realize that with relatively simple searches they can find and copy social security numbers, credit cards, bank account information, driver’s licenses, etc. These modern day cybercriminals are showing that they are quick to evolve and while you are holding the victim’s data hostage, you might as well walk around the house or office and steal other valuable information.

Impact on Healthcare

This latest development is not good news for healthcare organizations. Ransomware itself is a dangerous threat but ransomware that steals information is even more of a threat because it could lead to a HIPAA reportable breach. Healthcare organizations face reputation damage by having to report a ransomware breach to patients and exposes the organization to an investigation by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

[framed_box bgColor=”#ffd390″ borderColor=”#000000″]

Free HIPAA Security Training!

All Covered Entities and Business Associates need to train their employees on HIPAA security. We now offer free online HIPAA security training for Covered Entities and Business Associates.

Our security training focuses on phishing and ransomware scams. The best way to avoid becoming a ransomware victim is by educating your employees!

Find out more about our free training and send the information to ALL your colleagues and Business Associates.

Click below to watch a short video on our free HIPAA security training!

[tvideo type=”youtube” clip_id=”lETzzBrI2uQ” width=”400″ height=”250″ fs=”false”]

Now it is easy to train your employees on protecting patient information!


[/framed_box]
Tags: Breachransomware
No Comments
Share
0

You also might be interested in

Fear and destroy USB drives!

Fear and destroy USB drives!

Apr 8, 2011

In what appears to be a reoccurring story, another hospital[...]

Dropbox is not HIPAA compliant

Apr 29, 2011

An article over at KevinMD.com on using Dropbox to store[...]

5 easy steps to protecting patient data

May 1, 2011

Medical practices are not only tasked with protecting their patient’s[...]

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Recent Posts

  • HIPAA Security Policies
  • Restructuring the OCR
  • HIPAA: P for Portability
  • OCR Healthcare Report Released
  • HIPAA Compliance & Cybersecurity: How They Differ

Recent Comments

  • Milan on PHI or PII – What’s the Difference?
  • Automatic Backlinks on Free HIPAA Security Training!
  • Lisa Porter on Free HIPAA Security Training!
  • Roseanne ruiz on Health Apps & HIPAA
  • Roseanne ruiz on PHI or PII – What’s the Difference?

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011

Categories

  • Backup & Disaster Recovery
  • Business Associates
  • Client News
  • Download
  • Healthcare Industry
  • HIPAA
  • HIPAA Audits
  • HIPAA Violations
  • HSN News
  • Legal
  • MACRA
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Press Release
  • Remote Workforce
  • Risk Assessment
  • Scams
  • Security
  • Security Reminders
  • Security Training
  • Telehealth
  • Uncategorized
  • Webinar
  • Website

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Contact Us

  • HIPAA Secure Now
  • 55 Madison Ave, Suite 400 Morristown, NJ 07960
  • (877) 275 - 4545
  • info@hipaasecurenow.com

Find us on Social Media

Recent Posts

  • HIPAA Security Policies March 21, 2023
  • Restructuring the OCR March 14, 2023
  • HIPAA: P for Portability March 7, 2023
  • OCR Healthcare Report Released February 28, 2023
  • HIPAA Compliance & Cybersecurity: How They Differ February 21, 2023

Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Hidden

© 2023 · HIPAA Secure Now!

Prev Next