Results for: Ransomware

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) disclosed that it paid a ransom in response to the February cyberattack targeting its subsidiary, Change Healthcare. The attack compromised personal data, affecting not only UnitedHealth’s 152 million customers but also a broader segment of the population due to Change Healthcare’s extensive role in payment and revenue cycle management in the healthcare industry. Despite the ransom payment, UnitedHealth emphasized its collaboration with law enforcement and cybersecurity firms to investigate the incident thoroughly and support affected individuals. The company acknowledged that it is actively monitoring online forums where hackers distribute or exchange compromised data packets and has established a dedicated website and call center to offer identity theft protection and credit monitoring for two years.

UnitedHealth Group has revealed that it paid a ransom to cyberattackers in an attempt to protect patient data following a breach of its subsidiary, Change Healthcare. The attack compromised files containing protected health information and personally identifiable information of a significant portion of people in the United States. The company has set up a dedicated website and call center to provide support and resources to affected individuals.

Ransomware payments have plummeted to a record low, with only 28% of companies paying ransom in the first quarter of 2024. This decline is attributed to increased cybersecurity measures, legal pressure, and law enforcement disruptions of ransomware gangs.