Microsoft has published a warning about Bitcoin-ransomware attacks targeting hospitals in the United States. These attacks put dozens of hospitals at risk of attack because they operate through vulnerable gateways in the midst of the corona crisis.

REvil-ransomware

The software giant revealed that numerous hospitals use vulnerable gateways which in turn expose them to the REvil ransomware.

Microsoft put the warning online in a blog last Wednesday. The organisation also passed on the warning to the hospitals that appear to be at risk.

The company’s intelligence team stated that healthcare institutions became particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article states that Microsoft has identified many such hospitals and provided advice on how to prevent a Bitcoin ransomware attack.

The company also noted that it was “a first-of-it’s-kind report” that allowed various organizations to know their vulnerabilities, as well as the malicious actors roaming the Internet.

More attacks during COVID-19

Cybercriminals take every opportunity to make money through ransomware. There was a clear increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, many people fell victim to this.

However, Microsoft pointed out that the problem is much more serious than it seems. The company indicated that such threats not only occur more frequently, but also that the security of healthcare companies and technology suppliers is violated more frequently. However, Microsoft stated that such breaches can be prevented with the right response.