Cyber ​​attack on Barcelona hospital causes cancellations of appointments and surgeries

The Hospital Clínic de Barcelona suffered a ransomware attack this weekend. Emergencies have been referred to other clinics.

A ransomware attack , data hijacking, stopped all the operations of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, ​​causing cancellations of appointments and surgeries.

The computer attack has meant that all users cannot be treated at the hospital, radiotherapies have been delayed and emergencies have been referred to other clinics.

Crisis

The data sequestration affected the laboratory, pharmacy and emergency services, says the corresponding entity. It also had consequences for home hospitalization, the radiology service, endoscopic tests, radiological examinations, dialysis, and outpatient pharmacy.

According to official sources, it began on Sunday, March 5, in the morning.

Appointments for Monday have been canceled as so far there is no solution to the cyberattack.

How much money the group behind the ransomware has asked for has not been specified .

Never ending

When the ransomware is installed and activated, the target receives a message telling them what to do and how much to pay to decrypt their data. That ransom can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the financial strength of the target.

Because the clinics need to function to save lives, criminals find them easier targets for money.

Some groups have certain “ethics” in this type of fraud. Hacking group LockBit has apologized for attacking the largest children’s hospital in Canada.

Cybercriminals have apologized for the ransomware attack that knocked out the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto for hours, leaving minors unattended with emergencies.