Expert: New Ransomware Has Potential To Shut Down Medical Devices

29 Jun 2017

A Symantec cybersecurity expert says that while there have been no reports so far of medical devices being affected by the new Petya ransomware worm, device companies should not underestimate its threat and need to work with partners, including hospitals, to prevent potential harm to patients.

A new version of the ransomware called "Petya" could adversely affect medical devices, although there have so far been no reports of it doing so yet, according to a security expert. The worm is very similar to the WannaCry ransomware that hijacked hospital medical records around the world several months ago and has the potential to have a similar, if not more devastating, effect on health-care systems.

Initial reports found the Petya worm spreading across computer systems in the Ukraine on June 27 using a tax and...