Malware

UnitedHealth Admits Paying Ransomware Gang to Prevent Massive Data Breach

UnitedHealth confirms paying an undisclosed ransom to the Conti ransomware gang to prevent the leak of sensitive patient data. Learn more about the incident and the rise of ransomware attacks on healthcare institutions.

Published

5 months ago

April 23, 2024

zendzipr

UnitedHealth Admits Paying Ransomware Gang to Prevent Massive Data Breach 1

UnitedHealth Group recently confirmed that they had to pay a ransom to cybercriminals to protect sensitive data stolen during a ransomware attack on Optum in late February. This attack wasn’t just any ordinary cybercrime; it led to a massive outage that affected Change Healthcare payment systems, impacting several critical services used by healthcare providers and pharmacies throughout the U.S. These services included payment processing, prescription writing, and insurance claims.

Can you believe that the organization reported $872 million in financial damages from this single cyberattack? It’s mind-boggling! But it doesn’t stop there. The BlackCat/ALPHV ransomware gang claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that they stole 6TB of sensitive patient data. And in early March, they even pulled off an exit scam after allegedly receiving $22 million in ransom from UnitedHealth.

During that time, one of the gang’s affiliates, known as “Notchy,” claimed they had UnitedHealth data because they conducted the attack and that BlackCat cheated them out of the ransom payment. The transaction was visible on the Bitcoin blockchain, and researchers confirmed it reached a wallet used by BlackCat hackers.

As if things couldn’t get more complicated, a week later, the U.S. government launched an investigation into whether health data had been stolen in the ransomware attack at Optum. And by mid-April, the extortion group RansomHub raised the stakes even higher for UnitedHealth by starting to leak what they claimed to be corporate and patient data stolen during the attack. UnitedHealth’s patient data reached RansomHub after “Notchy” partnered with them to extort the company again.

Data stolen, ransom paid

In a statement, UnitedHealth confirmed that they paid a ransom to prevent patient data from being sold to cybercriminals or leaked publicly. The company said, “A ransom was paid as part of the company’s commitment to do all it could to protect patient data from disclosure.”

We checked RansomHub’s data leak website and can confirm that the threat actor has removed UnitedHealth from its list of victims. UnitedHealth’s removal from RansomHub’s site may indicate that today’s confirmation is for a payment to the new ransomware gang rather than the alleged $22 million payment to BlackCat in March.

Recently, UnitedHealth posted an update on its website announcing support for people whose data had been exposed by the February ransomware attack, officially confirming the data breach incident. The company stated that based on initial targeted data sampling, they have found files containing protected health information (PHI) or personally identifiable information (PII). This could potentially affect a substantial proportion of people in America. However, the company reassures patients that they have not seen evidence of exfiltration of materials such as doctors’ charts or full medical histories among the data.

UnitedHealth further explained that only 22 screenshots of stolen files, some containing personally identifiable information, were posted on the dark web, and that no other data exfiltrated in the attack has been published “at this time.” The organization has promised to send personalized notifications once it completes its investigation into the type of information compromised.

As part of its efforts to support those impacted, UnitedHealth has set up a dedicated call center offering two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. Currently, 99% of the impacted services are operational, medical claims flow at near-normal levels, and payment processing stands at approximately 86%.

A call for action: Protect yourself and your organization

UnitedHealth’s experience is a sobering reminder of the ever-present threat of cyberattacks and the importance of taking cybersecurity seriously. Don’t let your organization become the next victim. Reach out to us, and together, we’ll help you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. Keep coming back to learn more about the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices to safeguard your valuable data.

Up Next

North Korean Cyber Warriors Infiltrate South Korean Defense Contractors: A Chilling Security Breach

Don't Miss

United Nations Agency Probes Devastating Ransomware Attack & Data Heist

Click to comment

Malware

Massive Data Breach Hits Payment Gateway: 1.7 Million Credit Card Users Impacted

A data breach at Indian payment gateway provider Juspay has exposed the personal information of 17 million credit card owners. The compromised data includes names, email addresses, and phone numbers, putting users at risk of phishing attacks. Juspay has assured customers that full card numbers, order information, and passwords remain secure.

Published

1 day ago

September 10, 2024

zendzipr

A person wearing a hooded jacket holds a glowing rectangular device in a dark, futuristic environment with neon red and blue digital graphics in the background, hinting at a massive data breach among credit card users.

Imagine this: you’re enjoying a lovely dinner at your favorite restaurant, and when it’s time to pay, you hand over your credit card without a second thought. What you don’t know is that a cybercriminal has been lurking in the shadows, just waiting for the opportunity to snatch your personal and credit card information. That’s exactly what happened to nearly 1.7 million individuals when payment gateway provider Slim CD suffered a data breach.

The Slim CD Data Breach: What Happened?

Slim CD is a company that provides payment processing solutions for businesses, allowing them to accept electronic and card payments through various platforms. Unfortunately, hackers were able to access Slim CD’s network for almost a year, from August 2023 to June 2024. The company first detected suspicious activity on June 15, 2024, and during their investigation, they discovered the unauthorized access had begun back in August 2023.

According to the notification sent to the impacted individuals, the threat actor had viewed or obtained access to credit card information for just two days, between June 14th and 15th, 2024. The types of data that may have been accessed include:

Full name

Physical address

Credit card number

Payment card expiration date

Is Your Credit Card Information Safe?

While the exposed information doesn’t include the card verification number (CVV), there’s still a risk of credit card fraud. Nowadays, cybercriminals have become increasingly sophisticated and may use the stolen information to piece together enough data for fraudulent transactions. It’s important to remain vigilant and monitor your credit card statements for any suspicious activity.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

Slim CD has taken measures to strengthen its security to prevent future incidents like this, but it’s crucial for you to take charge of your own cybersecurity. Here are some steps you can take to stay ahead of cybercriminals:

Regularly monitor your credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.

Report any suspicious activity to your card issuer immediately.

Be cautious when providing your personal and credit card information online or over the phone.

Consider using a credit monitoring service for added protection.

Don’t Let Cybercriminals Win: Stay Informed and Protected

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so do the threats posed by cybercriminals. Staying informed about cybersecurity risks and taking proactive steps to protect your personal information is more important than ever before. We’re here to help you navigate the complex world of cybersecurity and ensure your personal data remains secure.

So, don’t let cybercriminals get the upper hand. Keep coming back to learn more about the latest threats and how you can stay protected in the digital age. Together, we’ll make sure that your personal information stays safe and out of the hands of cybercriminals.

Malware

Massive Avis Data Breach Exposes 299,000+ Customers: Protect Yourself Now

Car rental company Avis has suffered a data breach impacting over 299,000 customers. The compromised information includes names, addresses, and driving license numbers. The breach affected Avis Australia and New Zealand, with the company stating that no financial data has been accessed.

Published

2 days ago

September 9, 2024

zendzipr

A car rental facility with an illuminated "AVIS" sign at night. Several vehicles are parked outside, and light trails from passing cars are visible in the foreground. Join our community of 000+ customers who trust us for their travel needs!

Image: Midjourney

Update: The Avis data breach impacted over 299,000 customers.

Imagine renting a car, expecting a smooth and secure experience, only to find out later that your personal information was exposed in a data breach. That’s precisely what happened to over 299,000 customers of American car rental giant, Avis.

What happened in the Avis data breach?

Unknown attackers managed to breach one of Avis’s business applications last month, stealing some customers’ personal information in the process. According to data breach notification letters sent to impacted customers, Avis took action to stop the unauthorized access, launched an investigation with the help of external cybersecurity experts, and reported the incident to relevant authorities after learning of the breach on August 5.

The investigation revealed that from August 3 to August 6, the attacker accessed Avis’s business applications. The company was able to evict the malicious actor from its systems and block their access on August 6. On August 14, it was discovered that the attacker had stolen some customers’ personal information, including their names and other undisclosed sensitive data.

How many people were affected?

In a separate filing with Maine’s attorney general, it was revealed that the personal information of 299,006 Avis customers was stolen in the breach. This number represents less than 1% of their customer base, but it’s still a significant number of people whose data is now at risk.

What has Avis done since the breach?

Since the breach, Avis has worked with outside experts to strengthen security measures for the affected application and implemented additional safeguards across its systems. The company is also actively reviewing security monitoring and controls to bolster security defenses.

Avis warned customers of identity theft and fraud risks following the data breach, advising them to remain vigilant by regularly reviewing and monitoring their account statements and credit history for any signs of unauthorized transactions or activity. The car rental company also offered those affected a free one-year membership to Equifax’s credit monitoring service, which assists with identity theft detection and resolution.

Why is this important for you?

Data breaches like the one at Avis serve as a reminder of the ever-present risks we face in our increasingly digital world. Cybersecurity is not just a concern for large corporations; it affects all of us. It’s essential to stay informed and take steps to protect our personal information.

As your trusted IT Services provider, we’re here to help you navigate the complex world of cybersecurity. We’ll keep you up to date on the latest threats and offer guidance on how to keep your personal and business information safe. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns about your cybersecurity or need assistance in protecting your data.

In the meantime, stay vigilant and keep coming back to learn more about the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

Malware

Avis Reveals Massive Data Breach: Customer Information Compromised in Car Rental Empire

Car rental company Avis recently disclosed a data breach affecting customer data. The breach exposed sensitive information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers. Protect your personal information by staying vigilant and monitoring your accounts for any suspicious activity.

Published

5 days ago

September 6, 2024

zendzipr

Avis Reveals Massive Data Breach: Customer Information Compromised in Car Rental Empire 16

Image removed

Image: Midjourney

Did you hear the news? American car rental giant Avis recently informed customers that cybercriminals breached one of its business applications last month and stole some of their personal information.

According to data breach notification letters sent to impacted customers and filed with California’s Office of the Attorney General, Avis took action to stop the unauthorized access and launched an investigation with the help of external cybersecurity experts after learning of the breach on August 5th.

What did the investigation uncover?

The investigation revealed that the attacker had access to Avis’s business application from August 3rd to 6th. The company managed to evict the malicious actor from its systems and blocked its access on August 6th. On August 14th, it also discovered that the attacker stole some customers’ personal information, including their names and other undisclosed sensitive data.

Since the breach, Avis says it has worked with outside experts to strengthen security measures for the affected application and implemented additional safeguards across its systems.

What has Avis done to protect its customers?

Avis has been actively reviewing security monitoring and controls to bolster security defenses and warned customers of identity theft and fraud risks following the data breach. The company advised those whose personal information was stolen to remain vigilant against threats of identity theft or fraud. They suggested customers do this by regularly reviewing and monitoring their account statements and credit history for any signs of unauthorized transactions or activity and contacting credit reporting agencies if they suspect any unauthorized activity.

Moreover, Avis offered those affected a free one-year membership to Equifax’s credit monitoring service, which provides assistance with identity theft detection and resolution.

About Avis and its global presence

Avis is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, a leading global mobility solutions provider that also owns Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network. Its Avis and Budget car rental brands operate over 10,000 rental locations in 180 countries across North America, Europe, and Australasia. Avis Budget Group has reported more than $3.0 billion in revenues for the second quarter of 2024.

We reached out to Avis for more information about the attack’s nature, the number of affected customers, and the other personal information stolen in the breach, but the company has not responded yet.

Stay informed and protected

Cybersecurity is more important than ever, and we at IT Services are dedicated to helping you stay informed and protected. We encourage you to keep coming back to learn more about the latest cybersecurity news and trends. Together, we can make the digital world a safer place for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us!