German Experts See Russian Link In Deadly Hospital Hacking
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published September 22, 2020 | 06:00 PM
Berlin, Sept 22 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2020 ) :German authorities probing a cyber attack on a hospital's IT system that led to a fatal delay in treatment for a critically ill woman believe the software used can be traced back to Russian hackers.
In an update to lawmakers published on Tuesday, prosecutors wrote that hackers used malware known as "Doppelpaymer" to disable computers at Duesseldorf University Hospital on September 10, aiming to encrypt data and then demand payment to unlock it again.
The same ransomware has been used in cyber attacks around the world carried out "by a group of hackers that, according to private security firms, is based in Russia", the report said.
The attack saw the hospital's computer system become disconnected from the ambulance network.
A severely ill woman was therefore admitted to a hospital further away in Wuppertal and died shortly afterwards.
The longer distance that the ambulance had to travel led to an hour's delay before medical staff were able to treat her.
Cologne prosecutors last week opened an investigation into involuntary manslaughter against unknown suspects over the woman's death.
If charges are brought, it would be a rare case of a hacking with deadly consequences.
Investigators suspect that the hackers had not meant to hit the hospital, with the actual target thought to have been the affiliated Heinrich Heine University in Duesseldorf.
Local police were able to contact the hackers during the attack to tell them patients' lives were at risk, prompting the hackers to hand over a decryption key before breaking off communication.
Germany has seen several hacker attacks on research and higher education institutions in recent months, including the University of Giessen, the University of Cologne and the Ruhr University Bochum.
The German government has in recent years blamed Russia for several high-profile attempts by hackers to spy on lawmakers or leading politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
Ahsan chairs 13th CPEC-JCC preparatory meeting, reviews arrangements for high-le ..
DC Tharparkar inaugurates anti-polio campaign
HDA Mehran workers demand salaries
Taxila police nab motorcycle lifter gang
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
Walk held in a series of enrollment campaigns
Team from Gaza mediator Egypt arrives in Israel for truce talks
Kids murders: IHC orders psychiatric examination of mother
Health minister credits PML-N for advancements in organ transplantation
Court grants interim bail to Azam Swati in cyber crime case
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
11 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
11 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
6 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago