AIIMS 'deadline' has ended, say ransomware attackers

The alleged group behind a cyberattack that has patient records gave the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi until the end of Monday.

AIIMS 'deadline' has ended, say ransomware attackers

The alleged group behind a cyberattack that has patient records gave the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi until the end of Monday to conclude negotiations to regain access to its data. It also added that it has demanded 30 bitcoins as ransom and that once the window closes, it will cut off communication.

The warning, according to a report from HT, originated from an email address that is known to the authorities and is being used in the investigation, however HT was unable to independently confirm whether the individuals replying from it were in fact responsible for the hack. Additionally, the email implied that the information, which includes the medical records of millions of people, maybe including VIPs from the government, would be posted online.

After HT contacted the address, an email with the subject line "Today is the deadline, we will destroy this mail and AIIMS will lose all patient's information permanently!!!" was sent. The sender did not reply to questions for their identity or affiliation.
In a follow-up email sent later that evening, the sender stated that they had chosen not to extend the Monday deadline and added, "But you can attempt [and] uncover patient's details on the dark web!!!"

When asked if somebody was negotiating on behalf of AIIMS, the person who sent the reply remained silent.

Lt Gen (retired) Rajesh Pant, India's national cybersecurity coordinator, concurred that no ransom was requested. "AIIMS facilities were the target of a very significant hack. however, the system has largely been fixed. But there was never a demand for a ransom, he added.
The value of a bitcoin on Monday was just under 14 lakh, according to the cryptocurrency website Coinbase. Thus, the 30 bitcoin amount cited by the alleged attackers in their email as the ransom demanded equals 4.2 crore.

The AIIMS cyberattack was discovered on November 23 after staff members were unable to enter into the eHospital program, an all-encompassing tool that controls appointments, holds patient records, and contains reports from diagnostic tests performed at the facility.

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