LockBit ransomware gang apologizes for hospital attack and offers free decryptor to SickKids

January 03, 2023 By Jozeph P

(Image Credit Google)

One of the world's largest notorious ransomware gangs has apologized, which is unusual. It contended that one of its partners was behind a cyberattack against Canada's largest pediatric hospital. The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto was hit by a ransomware attack on December 18th. The incident resulted in longer wait times for patients. The LockBit gang has expressed regret for its role in the previous malware attack on the children's hospital. The gang said it would give SickKids a free decryptor and would block the "partner" who did the attack. It operates a "ransomware-as-a-service" operation, taking a 20% cut of all ransom payments. SickKids Children's Hospital reports that access to roughly 60% of its priority system has been restored. The hospital had yet to receive a decryptor from the LockBit gang, which had demanded a $1 million ransom in exchange for access to its systems. The group has a record of attacking hospitals and failing to deliver decryption keys to those who have been targeted.

SickKids is aware of a statement from a ransomware group offering a decryptor to restore systems impacted by the cybersecurity incident on December 18. Read more: https://t.co/clU1IqK7Qh pic.twitter.com/H9S4ERgih7
— SickKids_TheHospital (@SickKidsNews) January 1, 2023

As part of the deal, the gang will take a 20% cut of all ransom payments. Furthermore, the group claims that its affiliates are not permitted to target "medical institutions" that could also result in death. Sick Kids reported that as of December 29, it had regained access to nearly half of its priority systems, including the ones that had resulted from diagnostic and treatment delays. Also Read: First human-powered aircraft without engines "The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is aware of a statement published online by a ransomware gang with the offer of a free decryptor to reinstate systems impacted by the cybersecurity incident. "We have hired third-party experts to verify and assess the decryptor's use," SickKids said on Sunday, December 1, 2022. Meantime, BleepingComputer found that the released decryptor is only for Linux/VMware ESXi, and there is no Windows version.

By Jozeph P

Journalism explorer, tech Enthusiast. Love to read and write.

LockBit ransomware gang apologizes for hospital attack and offers free decryptor to SickKids

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