HHS alerts healthcare providers about global ransomware attack — 5 things to know

The WannaCry ransomware has hit more than 150 countries, and experts caution U.S. healthcare facilities to not fall prey, according to Healthcare IT News.

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Here are five things to know:

 

1. HHS issued an alert about the attack, explaining attackers connect via remote desktop protocol services.

 

2. The ONC also warned providers, noting the ransomware may be “exploiting a vulnerability in Server Message Block 1.0 (SMBv1).”

 

3. Experts believe the ransomware derived form U.S. National Security Agency hacking tools, released by Wikileaks.

 

4. The ransomware already hit the U.K. National Health Service hard.

 

5. HHS recommends providers disable remote desktop protocol services for the time being, or only allow RDP network access where vital.

 

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