Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: Hours after ransomware cyber-attack was detected at the Berhampur City Hospital’s information management system, the attack was also reported today at the Purusottampur hospital with the affected computer screen showing the ‘WannaCry’ message.
Though initially errors occurred in three computers at the office of the Purusottampur hospital, two could be restored after anti-virus software was reinstalled. However, the effort did not succeed on the hospital’s third computer, which is displaying the ‘WannaCry’ message.
Meanwhile, the State’s Information Technology Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera held a review meeting at the State Secretariat in Bhubaneswar on ‘ransomware’ cyber-attack which was attended by National Informatics Centre (NIC) representatives, OCAC, IIIT and senior State government officials.
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Talking to newsmen after the review meeting, Chandra Sarathi stated discussions on the epidemic virus attack will be held with district collectors via videoconferencing today.
Besides, toll-free numbers will be set up to create awareness on the ‘ransomware’ virus and provide suggestions.
He confirmed that the Berhampur City Hospital’s information management system hack is first cyber-attack case in the State.
“A joint team of IIIT, NIC and OCAC will visit the Berhampur City Hospital soon to probe the case,” the IT minister added.
National Informatics Centre senior technical director Ashok Hota, who was also present in the review meeting, ruled out ‘ransomware’ attack threat to ATMs.
“Usually virus attack chances are more for systems, where data is stored,” Hota added.
Ransomware cyber attack: IT Dept releases advisory
On the other hand, the Berhampur SDPO launched a probe into the Berhampur City Hospital ‘ransomware’ cyber-attack case after the Ganjam Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO) lodged a complaint at the Berhampur Town police station.