After Singapore medical data hack, Hong Kong Department of Health becomes latest cyberattack victim

Three computers hit by ransomware which leaves data inaccessible, just days after Singapore health authorities lose records of 1.5 million patients to hackers

Hong Kong’s Department of Health has become the latest victim of a cyberattack after three of its computers were hit by ransomware which left data inaccessible, prompting police to open a criminal investigation.

The targeted computers belonged to the department’s Infection Control Branch, Clinical Genetic Service and Drug Office and were infiltrated in the two weeks since July 15.

“Files stored on the computers were encrypted by ransomware, and an email address to contact for a decryption key was left behind, but no ransom was demanded,” a department spokeswoman said.

The computers did not contain any confidential personal information, and no data had been leaked, she said.

SCMP

PUBLISHED : Thursday, 02 August, 2018, 6:05pm

UPDATED : Thursday, 02 August, 2018, 10:51pm