News on Medial

Hacker forum post claims UnitedHealth paid $22 mln ransom in bid to recover data

Reuters · 8m

According to a post on a hacker forum, UnitedHealth Group is alleged to have paid $22 million to the "Blackcat" ransomware gang to regain access to their encrypted data and systems. While neither UnitedHealth nor the hackers have commented on the alleged payment, a cryptocurrency tracing firm partially corroborated the claim. Large companies often pay ransomware gangs to recover their networks when significant disruptions occur. The break-in at UnitedHealth's Change Healthcare unit has caused widespread disruption in the US medical system, with billing services remaining paralyzed. The American Medical Association has called for emergency funds to be made available to affected physicians.