Thai hospitals, companies hit by cyber attacks
Bangkok
HOSPITALS and companies in Thailand were hit by hackers who held their computer systems and data ransom, demanding payment to restore information, police said on Thursday.
"Government hospitals and companies were hacked in the same manner as Saraburi Hospital," Major General Phanthana Nutchanart said, referring to a cyber attack earlier this month.
Saraburi Hospital could not access its data on Sept 5, which slowed its operations as it relied on manual functions, but the hospital did not receive a demand for payment.
Some organisations that received ransom demands have already paid to retrieve data, in sums not exceeding one million baht (S$43,689), he said. The total number of organisations affected was still being investigated, he added.
Hackers attacked organisations with a "ransomware" code, which locks up the files on a computer and encrypts them, blocking access until the ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrency such as bitcoin.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Asean Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.
In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack disrupted hospitals and businesses across the world. Thai police believe that the virus originated in Europe. REUTERS
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
When US diplomats visit China, meal choices are about more than taste buds
Laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, rich cuisine and low cost of living lure more expat retirees to Malaysia
Vietnam tycoon appeals against US$27 billion fraud death sentence
US announces new restrictions on firearm exports
Central banks will probably only cut half as much as they hiked
US consumer sentiment falls as inflation expectations climb