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Personal Data
Cyber Security Data Brokers data security Doxxed Health health care industry Information Security Personal Data

Safeguarding Reproductive Health Workers: Addressing Risks Posed by Data Brokers and Doxxing

 

In today's interconnected digital landscape, the acquisition and dissemination of personal data have reached unprecedented levels, posing significant risks to individuals across various sectors, including reproductive health workers. At the forefront of this modern dilemma are entities known as data brokers, whose operations remain relatively unregulated, amplifying the potential dangers of doxxing — a malicious practice where private contact information is exposed to facilitate harassment. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced data protection measures and stricter regulations to safeguard individuals' privacy and security. 

Data brokers, often operating discreetly in the background, specialize in the collection, aggregation, and sale of personal information obtained from various sources, including public records, online activities, and commercial transactions. While their activities may seem innocuous on the surface, the sheer volume and scope of data amassed by these entities raise profound concerns about privacy and security. 

Reproductive health workers, in particular, face heightened risks in this digital age. As individuals dedicated to providing essential healthcare services, they often find themselves targeted by those seeking to exploit personal information for nefarious purposes. From medical professionals offering reproductive health services to counselors providing support and guidance, these professionals are entrusted with sensitive information about their clients, making them potential targets for doxxing and harassment. 

The danger of doxxing lies in its ability to weaponize personal information, turning it into a tool for intimidation, harassment, and even physical harm. By exposing individuals' contact details, including home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, doxxers can subject their targets to a barrage of malicious activities, ranging from harassing phone calls and threatening messages to real-world stalking and violence. For reproductive health workers, whose work often intersects with contentious social and political issues, the risks associated with doxxing can be particularly acute. 

Compounding the problem is the lax regulatory environment surrounding data brokers. Unlike other industries subject to stringent privacy regulations, such as healthcare and finance, data brokers operate in a largely unregulated space, with minimal oversight and accountability. This lack of regulation not only enables data brokers to continue their operations unchecked but also exacerbates the risks associated with doxxing and data breaches. Addressing the challenges posed by data brokers and doxxing requires a multifaceted approach. 

Firstly, there is a pressing need for stronger privacy regulations and oversight mechanisms to rein in the activities of data brokers and protect individuals' personal information. By imposing stricter guidelines on the collection, storage, and dissemination of personal data, regulators can help mitigate the risks of doxxing and safeguard individuals' privacy rights. 

Additionally, organizations and individuals must take proactive steps to enhance their data security practices and protect against potential threats. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as encryption, firewalls, and access controls, to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access and exploitation. 

Moreover, fostering a culture of privacy and security awareness among employees and stakeholders can help mitigate the risk of data breaches and ensure that personal information is handled responsibly and ethically. 

The rise of data brokers and the proliferation of doxxing pose significant challenges to individuals' privacy and security, particularly for reproductive health workers. To address these challenges effectively, concerted efforts are needed to strengthen privacy regulations, enhance data security practices, and promote awareness of the risks associated with doxxing. By taking proactive steps to protect personal information and hold data brokers accountable, we can create a safer and more secure digital environment for all.
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Technology
ChatGPT Generative AI Health Microsoft Technology

The Future of Health and Medicine: The Impact of Generative AI


Generative AI is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to revolutionise the way we approach health and medicine. With the ability to generate new data, insights, and predictions, generative AI is inspiring dreams of a health data revolution. 

The Race to Build Generative AI

The world’s largest technology companies are racing to build generative AI into every corner of health and medicine. Microsoft has formed an alliance with the electronic health records vendor Epic to wire the technology into dozens of health software products. 

Google is infusing it into tools used by hospitals to collect and organize data on millions of patients. Not to be outdone, Amazon has unveiled a service to help build clinical note scribes and is separately working to embed generative AI in drug research and development.

The Potential Impact

The potential impact of generative AI on health and medicine is enormous. By generating new data and insights, it could help doctors make more accurate diagnoses, predict disease progression, and develop personalized treatment plans. It could also help researchers discover new drugs and therapies, and improve our understanding of complex diseases.

However, there are also concerns about how this technology will be tested and evaluated, whether it will help or hurt patients, and how it will impact privacy and the use of personal data. These are important questions that need to be addressed as we move forward with this exciting new technology.

What's for the future?

Generative AI is inspiring dreams of a health data revolution. With its ability to generate new data, insights, and predictions, it has the potential to transform the way we approach health and medicine. However, there are also important questions that need to be addressed as we move forward with this exciting new technology.

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Rhysida
Cyberattack CyberCrime cybercriminals Health HHS malware PMH Ransomware Vendetta Rhysida

Ransomware Vendetta: Rhysida Group Strikes Prospect Medical, Warns of Auctioning Stolen Data

 


It has been claimed that Rhysida, an ever-evolving ransomware group, is responsible for the recent cyberattack on Prospect Medical Holdings during which hospitals and medical facilities in four states have been attacked. As a result, Prospect Medical Holdings was forced to take its systems down earlier this month. 

The Prospect Health Group operates 16 hospitals in California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, as well as more than 165 clinics and outpatient facilities throughout these states. According to Callow, many US healthcare systems have been affected by ransomware this year, infecting at least 53 hospitals under their control, and at least 20 of these organizations have had their data stolen as a result of the attack. 

The Department of Health and Human Services issued an alert earlier this month to warn people about Rhysida, a ransomware-as-a-service group that first arose in mid-May. The group is currently in its infancy and does not have some advanced features such as plaintext strings that reveal registry modification commands as well as some advanced features such as plaintext strings that display registry management commands. 

There have been major attacks on organizations in several sectors including education, government, manufacturing, technology, and managed service providers by Rhysida. As part of its ongoing data leak investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has revealed that most of the data stolen from eleven victims have been uploaded to the threat actor's data leak site between June and the beginning of August. 

As a result of a cyberattack launched by the Rhysida ransomware group on Prospect Medical Holdings, the group claims to have gained access to 500,000 social security numbers, confidential corporate records, and patient records from the company. 

A ransom note was reportedly displayed on employee screens the day after the attack, warning that their network had been compromised and their devices had been encrypted as a result of the attack, which was believed to have occurred on August 3rd. 

There is a claim that Rhysida has more than one terabyte of stolen data on her hands, along with an SQL database containing more than 1.3 terabytes of data. In the listing on the dark web, the group offered to sell the data for 50 bitcoin, which would equate to roughly $1.3 million, based on the listing that was made available. 

BleepingComputer later found out that the Rhysida ransomware gang was behind the attack even though PMH did not respond to questions about the security incident. According to current reports, PMH hospital networks, including CharterCare, have been able to successfully restore the functionality of the hospital networks' systems. However, efforts remain ongoing to make sure that patient records are reinstated as soon as possible. 

Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) warned that the hacker group Rhysida seemed to be responsible for recent attacks against healthcare organizations, with a claim of responsibility for the attack on Prospect Medical. Described by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a new ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) group, Rhysida has emerged since May 2023. 

An HHS official said the group encrypts a target's networks through Cobalt Strike and phishing attacks to breach their targets' networks and plant their malicious payloads on those networks. Once the victim has not paid the ransom, the group threatens the victim by releasing all of the data that has been exfiltrated. HHS has indicated that Rhysida is still in its infancy and there are limited advanced features that it has developed, as evidenced by its name Rhysida-0.1, and the lack of advanced features. 

According to the report, the ransomware also leaves PDF notes in the affected folders instructing victims to contact the group through their portal and pay in Bitcoin. There are numerous countries across Western Europe, North and South America, as well as Australia that have been affected by Rhysida and its victims. 

It is primarily focused on the education, government, manufacturing technology, and managed services industries that are attacked by these cyber criminals. As exemplified by the attack on PMH, they have recently attacked the healthcare and public health sectors, and this has had a significant impact on the healthcare industry. There have been several ransomware gangs who have claimed credit for attacks in the past, including Rhysida, said Emily Phelps, director at Cyware.
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Technology
Coronavirus update Coronavirus website COVID-19 Google Health Security Technology

This COVID-19 Website By Google Tells You All You Need To Know About Coronavirus!


The first step anyone took after hearing the first of the Coronavirus was ‘Googling’ it. Google has been a solution, for as long as we can remember, to most of our queries. Yet again it upholds its
reputation.

Amid all the mass confusion and chaos this virus has caused for the human race, every single one of us has wanted a ‘go-to’ for a little clarity between all of this bewilderment related to COVID-19.

Be it asking about the first symptoms, vaccine information or prevention strategies, in the middle of this bewilderment people have continued to look up to search engines for answers.

Google stepped in at the right moment and launched a website that encompasses next to every single bit of information about the Coronavirus.

Per sources, by way of collaborating with the US government, Google was has developed a website fully committed to educating people about COVID-19 including the probable symptoms, ways of prevention, treatment and all the other related information.

Reportedly, in the last week of January, Google had launched an SOS “alert” packed with resources and safety details from the WHO, plus the latest news. The alert, as of now, has spread across many countries in 25 languages. Per sources, people in over 50 countries have access to localized public health guidance from authorities.

The website mostly centers on providing health-related information along with safety and preventive practices, helpful resources, updated data and insights, relief assistance, the most recent of news, the early symptoms of the disease and how it spreads.

The website strongly endorses the “Do the Five” campaign to further wakefulness about basic things people can do to control the spread of COVID-19, per the WHO. According to sources, the website also has a map of the affected areas via the WHO and links to national health authority websites.

The website is loaded with informative videos from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, depicting the importance of washing hands regularly, responsible behavior and fighting together.

It is a massively lucrative initiative towards putting all the misunderstandings and confusion of people regarding COVID-19, to rest. The website shall be regularly updated and improved with more details and resources.

The link to the website:
https://www.google.com/covid19/

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US FDA.
CDSCO Cyber Crime Cyber Security Health Insulin Pump Medtronic US FDA.

CDSCO Warns Users and Providers against Potentially Hack-able Insulin Pumps!





The wireless communication between Medtronic’s Minimed insulin pumps and other remote controlled related devices like blood glucose meters. These have a high risk of being hacked.

Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), the apex drug regulator issued an alert about a few of Medtronic PLC’s insulin pumps being hack-able in response to US FDA flagging the theme.

No complaints of the sort have been received so far from the market, but nonetheless it happens to be an essential issue that needs looking into and hence CDSCO alerted the medical professionals.

Due to the aforementioned alleged cyber-security issues, (nevertheless potential in nature) few of the insulin pumps from the Medtronic Minimed have been recalled.

The US drug regulator recommends people to swap their insulin pumps for different models due to the potential risks related with the communication between these pumps and other devices like glucose meters and CareLink USB device used with them.





An insulin pump is a medical device specifically designed to help  diabetics control their glucose levels. The device pumps insulin in the user’s body in continuous doses.

Every insulin pump from Medtronic’s Minimed has a serial number which according to CDSCO should never be shared.

Per the CDSCO’s alert, the insulin pumps which are susceptible to potential hacking, namely are, MiniMed Paradigm 715, 712, 722 and 754 with software versions 2.6A or lower.

According to sources, Medtronic is pre-emptive about informing the users, regulators and medical professionals about the potential cyber-hazards of the insulin pumps.

They are also readily working with researchers to aid the patients, users, doctors and stakeholders, find answers to any questions they may have.

Medtronic alluded to it that with the evolution of technology will “continue to collaborate with industry researchers and regulators and develop high quality therapies that will positively impact lives”.

The company also remarked that over the years many models of these insulin pumps have been launched where their quality has been focused upon with utmost seriousness and concern.

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Smart Watch
Apple Apple Watch Cyber News Health Series 4 Smart Watch

Apple Series 4 Watches- Primary Focus on Health; A Bridge between Users and Doctors!





Last year apple made a gigantic announcement for its “Watch Fanatics”. That’s right, the Series 4 which is bulked with heart monitoring, ECG and fall detection for a richer doctor-patient relationship.

Apple’s VP of Health , Dr. Sumbul Desai voiced that the latest products are being designed in regard with the “partnership with your physician”.

As it happens, before associating with Apple, Dr. Desai was the vice-chair of strategy and innovation for the department of medicine at Stanford Medical.

According to her there is something “sacred and special” about the doctor-patient dynamic and if ways could be found to make it better they should be thought upon.

The Apple watches will make it all the easier for doctors as well as patients to focus more on counselling than collecting data and doing research.

The Apple watch would help capture the data and then give it to the physician in “a meaningful way”. This will help the sessions be more productive.


Apple, with the announcement of Series 4 and related health features is certainly looking forward to expanding its hold in the health industry.

Apple is all about, according to Dr. Desai, empowering consumers and guiding them towards a better understanding of health.

The Apple Watch is a device that will help you stay connected and aid you to be healthier and fit especially with the newly introduced activity trends in watch OS 6.

The other features of the excitingly fantastic compact device include the noise app, cycle tracking and heart features.

Per Dr. Desai, wearing the Apple watch every day will help the users lead a healthier and more conscious life as it’s a powerful way to keep on the track of health.

Evidence and science based methods are being employed to develop the aforementioned features and study how the information is surfaced individuals.

Apple conducted a heart study in collaboration with Stanford medicine which covered over 400,000 patients to contemplate whether the watch’s heart-rate sensor could detect irregular rhythms.

The heart study happened to be an example of a new data type and its relation with the clinical medicine. Also it reflected upon the creation of scientific evidence based on these new data.

Apple is known for the way it keeps the data all safe and secure always keeping in mind the importance of the users’ control over the decisions of how to share it and whom to share with.

And now it is going to be pretty prominent in the field of health because at Apple they consider it to be their responsibility.

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Victoria health systems
Cyber Crime Cyberattack Health Health systems Victoria health Victoria health systems

Victoria health systems vulnerable to cyber attacks: Report

An audit by the office of the Auditor-General found patient data stored in Victoria's public health system is highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and many health agencies have low risk awareness of the security flaws.

The audit exploited weaknesses in four audited agencies and accessed patient data to demonstrate the multitude of risks to the security of patient data and hospital services.

The report found deficiencies in how health services manage user access to digital records, including unused and terminated employee accounts still enabled, and failure to keep user access forms as proof that users have had their access approved.

The work also uncovered a lack of any formal, regular user access review to ensure only staff who need access have it—only one audited health service was found to provide mandatory cyber and data security training to all staff.

“Given that staff actions can undermine ICT and physical controls, it is vital that all staff—including clinical staff—can identify and manage the risks to patient data,” the audit reported.

The report stated that Victoria’s public health system is “highly vulnerable” to the kind of cyber attacks recently a Melbourne-based cardiology provider, which resulted in stolen or unusable patient data and disrupted hospital services.

The audited health services are not proactive enough, and do not take a whole-of-hospital approach to security that recognises that protecting patient data is not just a task for their IT staff,” the report concluded.

The Auditor-General Andrew Greaves examined Barwon Health (BH), the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH), and also examined how two areas of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Digital Health branch and Health Technology Solutions (HTS), are supporting health services.

“This weak security culture among government staff is a significant and present risk that must be urgently addressed,” the report said. “At one site, we accessed discarded, sensitive information too easily.
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Indian Government
Ayushman Bharat Bharat Breach of Security and Privacy Health Health insurance Indian Government

Security breached of Ayushman Bharat

Ayushman Bharat, the government run health insurance programme, on Saturday confirmed that there had been an attempted security breach. “There have been attempts to get illegal access to large medical data including sensitive personal information,’’ said Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Alerted about the intrusion 48 hours ago, the National Health Authority — which administers the programme — has now written to all State Governments alerting them about the threat and warning that no sensitive data be shared.

Describing the nature of the attempted breach, Dr. Bhushan said contact had been made with Ayushman Bharat employees urging them to leak sensitive information on the available health profiles of those covered by the scheme.

With more than 3 crore e-cards issued countrywide to individuals covered under the scheme and over 21 lakh hospital admissions, worth ₹2,820 crore, having been approved, the scheme is one of the world’s largest state-run health insurance programmes, according to the government. Health data is extremely sensitive and of great value to commercial and pharmaceutical companies.

“We have this data enveloped in multiple layers of security which is tough to penetrate,” explained Dr. Bhushan. “We also have a stringent access system for those within Ayushman Bharat and we were alerted, almost immediately, when the breach was attempted,’’ he said.

The authority is now also seeking assistance from the public to help ensure that the programme stays cybersecure and that patient data and records are not compromised in any manner.

“We are making a public appeal to please report such cases to @AyushmanNHA at the earliest for proper investigation and actions to mitigate any potential risk,’’ Dr. Bhushan said.

Ayushman Bharat has also had to combat multiple attempts to defraud individuals and companies “using our programmes as a disguise,” said an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “People have been offered jobs and some have even been duped saying that we charge for registration. All of this is illegal,’’ the official added.
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