The FBI Cyber Division has provided information that four healthcare providers in Arizona are the recent victims of a ransomware attack. In a ransomware attack, internet criminals can use phishing attacks to compromise security in the victim’s systems, encrypt all of their data, and then ask for millions of Bitcoin in exchange for a decryption program.
For internet criminals to successfully "phish" your personal information, they must get you to go from an email to a website. Phishing emails will almost always tell you to click a link that takes you to a site where your personal information is requested. Legitimate organizations will never request your personal information via email. Becoming educated and being aware is the best way to avoid a Ransomware attack.
How to protect yourself:
- Do not open emails from unknown senders.
- Do not click on links or attachments from unknown senders.
- Review suspect emails for spelling and grammatical errors.
- Do not forward suspicious emails.
- Use different passwords on different accounts and change them frequently.
The next few weeks will be contentious, so as always, be suspicious of unsolicited emails, text messages, and phone calls. Use discretion when providing information over the phone, and never provide sensitive personal information via email or text.
Thanks for all you do!
