One of the U.S.’s largest hospital chains, Universal Health Services Inc., experienced a malicious software attack which resulted in their computer systems being taken offline, crippling their computers and leading to cancelled surgeries and diverted ambulances. Unfortunately, it was reported that this attack resulted in four deaths after patients had to be redirected to different hospitals.
In order to stop further spread of the malware attack, Universal Health Services took down the systems used for medical records, pharmacies and laboratories across almost 250 of their U.S. facilities on Sunday, according to the companies President Marc Miller. Ransomware attacks on medical facilities are on the rise, despite some ransomware gangs vowing not to target them during the pandemic.
