Ethical Hacking News
The Medusa ransomware gang has targeted HCRG Care Group, a UK-based private health and social services provider, demanding $2 million in exchange for not leaking stolen data online. With its vast network of employees and significant annual turnover, HCRG is undoubtedly a high-profile target, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and proactive defense measures in the face of emerging threats.
HCRG Care Group, a UK-based private health and social services provider, has been targeted by Medusa ransomware gang for $2 million in exchange for not leaking stolen data online. Medusa claimed to have stolen 2.275 TB of data from HCRG, which is now demanding payment in exchange for not releasing the information publicly. The attack on HCRG Care Group is not the first time Medusa has targeted a British organization; it previously breached Gateshead Council and published its stolen data online after refusing to pay the ransom. Medusa primarily targets Windows environments and mainly targets five sectors: Technology, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. HCRG Care Group has taken steps to contain the incident by implementing immediate measures to secure its systems, with its services continuing to operate in an operational capacity.
Medusa ransomware gang, a notorious group known for its brazen and successful attacks on various organizations worldwide, has set its sights on another high-profile target: HCRG Care Group, a UK-based private health and social services provider. In a move that is likely to send shockwaves through the healthcare sector, Medusa claimed to have stolen 2.275 TB of data from HCRG, which it is now demanding $2 million ($1.6 million) in exchange for not leaking the information online.
HCRG Care Group, formerly known as Virgin Care and currently owned by Twenty20 Capital, provides a range of services to child and family health and social services across the UK for the NHS and local authorities. With a workforce of 5,000 and an annual turnover of just shy of £250 million ($315 million), HCRG is undoubtedly a significant player in the UK healthcare sector.
According to Medusa, it had gained access to HCRG's systems through a security vulnerability and extracted the vast amount of stolen data. This claim has not been officially confirmed by HCRG Care Group, but the group has acknowledged that an "IT security incident" has occurred and is currently investigating the matter with external forensic specialists.
Medusa's demands are for $2 million in exchange for not leaking the stolen data online or selling it to a third-party buyer. The gang claims that if no payment is made by February 27, the data will be released publicly, causing significant harm to HCRG Care Group and its clients. Furthermore, Medusa warns that it will delay the release of the data for $10,000 ($8,000) per day, in an apparent attempt to keep negotiations open.
This attack on HCRG Care Group is not the first time Medusa has targeted a British organization; last month, it claimed to have breached Gateshead Council, another UK-based public body. Despite its threats, Gateshead Council refused to pay the ransom, leading Medusa to publish what was said to be stolen data online.
The Medusa ransomware gang has been active since late 2022 and primarily targets Windows environments. According to Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42, it mainly targets five sectors: Technology, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. US organizations are the gang's top victims, with UK firms following closely behind.
It is worth noting that HCRG Care Group has already taken steps to contain the incident by implementing immediate measures to secure its systems. The group's services continue to operate, albeit in an operational capacity, indicating a high level of resilience and preparedness.
The threat posed by Medusa ransomware gang serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats and the importance of robust security measures. As organizations continue to navigate this complex landscape, it is essential for them to prioritize proactive defense strategies and invest in robust security solutions to protect themselves against such attacks.
In light of the growing concerns over data breaches and ransomware attacks, experts are advising organizations to enhance their incident response plans and develop comprehensive strategies for mitigating the impact of such incidents. By prioritizing cybersecurity and investing in cutting-edge threat detection tools, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to such attacks.
The Medusa ransomware gang's latest attack on HCRG Care Group highlights the need for heightened vigilance and proactive defense measures in the face of emerging threats. As organizations continue to grapple with the complexities of cybersecurity, it is essential that they prioritize robust security strategies and stay up-to-date with the latest threat intelligence.
In conclusion, Medusa ransomware gang's attack on HCRG Care Group serves as a wake-up call for organizations in the healthcare sector to take proactive measures to secure their systems and protect sensitive data. By prioritizing cybersecurity and investing in cutting-edge security solutions, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to such attacks.
The Medusa ransomware gang has targeted HCRG Care Group, a UK-based private health and social services provider, demanding $2 million in exchange for not leaking stolen data online. With its vast network of employees and significant annual turnover, HCRG is undoubtedly a high-profile target, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and proactive defense measures in the face of emerging threats.
Related Information:
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/02/20/medusa_hcrg_ransomware/
https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/20/medusa_hcrg_ransomware/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general/medusa-ransomware-gang-demands-2m-from-uk-private-health-services-provider/ar-AA1zpTBK
Published: Thu Feb 20 03:53:34 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
