Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei yesterday said it is investigating claims that 16.6 million documents containing patient data were leaked, urging people to be aware of online scams.
The leaked data appear to be medical records, but authorities have yet to confirm if they are from Mackay, said Lee Chien-chang (李建璋), director of the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Department of Information Management.
Unlike similar situations abroad, the attack did not interrupt the hospital’s ability to care for patients, Lee said.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
However, hackers encrypted and stole data at the same time, Lee added.
After the Mackay Memorial Hospital cyberattack early last month, Changhua Christian Hospital was also attacked using the same “Crazy Hunter” software.
Following this, the Ministry of Health and Welfare put together Taiwan’s first guidelines on standard operating procedures for hospitals to respond to ransomware attacks.
In response to the claims that hackers are seeking to sell documents allegedly related to the ransomware attacks, Mackay Memorial Hospital yesterday released a statement addressing the situation.
First, the hospital follows a zero-trust cybersecurity model and alerted relevant authorities at the health ministry as well as the Investigation Bureau, it said.
It is cooperating with experts, and as this is an active investigation, it can no longer provide comment, it added.
The hospital warned the public about potential scams stemming from the incident, reminding people to not follow instructions about ATM transfers or provide any personal information over the phone.
People who suspect scam attempts should contact the government’s 165 anti-fraud hotline, and concerned people can call the hospital’s cybersecurity hotline at (02) 2543-3535 extension 3564, it said.
The hospital also said it would continue to improve its cybersecurity through system updates and employee training, adding that it remains committed to providing high-quality care to patients.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
RSS