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HELSINKI -- Finland’s interior minister summoned key Cabinet members into an emergency meeting Sunday after hundreds — and possibly thousands — of patient records at a private Finnish psychotherapy center were accessed by a hacker or hackers now demanding ransoms.
Vastaamo, which has branches throughout the Nordic country of 5.5 million and operates as a sub-contractor for Finland’s public health system, said its client register with intimate patient information was likely stolen during two attacks that started almost two years ago.
Finnish media reported that cyber-criminals have demanded ransoms of 200 euros ($240) paid in Bitcoin, with the amount increased to 500 euros unless paid within 24 hours. The psychotherapy center also reportedly received a ransom demand for 450,000 euros ($534,000) in Bitcoin.
Citizens reacted to the news with disbelief. It also prompted comments from Finland's leaders. President Sauli Niinisto called the blackmailing “cruel" and “repulsive.” Prime Minister Sanna Marin said the hacking of such sensitive information was ”shocking in many ways."
The chief research officer of Finnish data security company F-Secure, Mikko Hypponen, told Finnish public broadcaster YLE that the case was exceptional even on an international level.
abcnews.go.com
Maybe it would be better to just have some matters on paper.
Scary S**t. Police is investigating both the company and hackers. CEO was already booted out, as they hid the breach for two years.
Vastaamo, which has branches throughout the Nordic country of 5.5 million and operates as a sub-contractor for Finland’s public health system, said its client register with intimate patient information was likely stolen during two attacks that started almost two years ago.
Finnish media reported that cyber-criminals have demanded ransoms of 200 euros ($240) paid in Bitcoin, with the amount increased to 500 euros unless paid within 24 hours. The psychotherapy center also reportedly received a ransom demand for 450,000 euros ($534,000) in Bitcoin.
Citizens reacted to the news with disbelief. It also prompted comments from Finland's leaders. President Sauli Niinisto called the blackmailing “cruel" and “repulsive.” Prime Minister Sanna Marin said the hacking of such sensitive information was ”shocking in many ways."
The chief research officer of Finnish data security company F-Secure, Mikko Hypponen, told Finnish public broadcaster YLE that the case was exceptional even on an international level.
Finland shocked by therapy center hacking, client blackmail
Finland’s interior minister has summoned key Cabinet members into an emergency meeting Sunday after hundreds — and possibly thousands — of patient records at a Finnish psychotherapy center were accessed by a hacker or hackers now demanding ransoms
Maybe it would be better to just have some matters on paper.
Scary S**t. Police is investigating both the company and hackers. CEO was already booted out, as they hid the breach for two years.
