BREAKING NEWS: NHS is hit by large-scale cyber attack as computer systems and phones in hospitals across England go down as hackers demand £415,000 not to wipe files

NHS hit by a major cyber attack and criminals have taken control of computers
Some medics claimed messages are flashing up saying they must pay cash
GP surgeries hit in the attack say their phones are down and urge not to call
Cyber attack appears to have hit NHS Trusts and hospitals across England

By MARTIN ROBINSON, UK CHIEF REPORTER FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 15:31 BST, 12 May 2017 | UPDATED: 16:08 BST, 12 May 2017

The NHS has been hit by a major cyber attack and hackers have taken down computers and cut off phone lines and emergency bleepers in hospitals and GP surgeries across England.

Some medics have claimed that messages are flashing up on screens saying it is 'under control' and must pay a ransom to stop all the files being deleted.

One message claims to demand 300 bitcoin - around £415,000 - to get control back, but it is not clear whether this is for across the NHS, per hospital or per computer.

The pop up contains a countdown clock with a deadline of next Friday, according to the Health Service Journal.

NHS England has confirmed that it has been attacked and 'non urgent' appointments and operations have been postponed across the country.

Some hospitals said they were forced to divert ambulances to neighbouring hospitals after the suspected nationwide cyber attack.

GP surgeries hit in the attack say their phones are down and patients should avoid calling unless 'absolutely necessary' and doctors are back to using pen and paper in some areas.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4500080/NHS-computer-system...

https://www.rt.com/uk/388115-nhs-hospitals-cyber-attack/

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/may/12/hospitals-across-en...

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Permalink Reply by Ragnarok on May 12, 2017 at 3:21pm

Thousands of ransomware cyberattacks reported worldwide

Published time: 12 May, 2017 17:46

Edited time: 12 May, 2017 19:11

A ransomware virus is reported to be spreading aggressively around the globe, with over 50,000 computers having been targeted. The virus infects computer files and then demands money to unblock them.

An increase in activity of the malware was noticed starting from 8am CET (07:00 GMT) Friday, security software company Avast reported, adding that it "quickly escalated into a massive spreading."

In a matter of hours, over 57,000 attacks have been detected worldwide, the company said.

https://www.rt.com/news/388153-thousands-ransomeware-attacks-worldw...

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Permalink Reply by Ragnarok on May 13, 2017 at 9:27am

‘Militarization of cyberspace going out of control’: IT experts talk WannaCry ransomware hackstorm

Published time: 13 May, 2017 03:55

Edited time: 13 May, 2017 08:39

The WannaCry ransomware that has infected tens of thousands of Windows operating systems across the globe spread like wildfire because of the NSA exploit, security experts agree, noting the threats of cyberspace militarization.

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/388204-ransomware-nsa-cyberspace-militar...

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Permalink Reply by Anti Everything on May 13, 2017 at 9:29am

This just keeps getting better!

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Permalink Reply by Ragnarok on May 13, 2017 at 10:11am

Microsoft releases urgent OS patch in wake of #WannaCry ransomware blitz

Published time: 13 May, 2017 10:58

https://www.rt.com/news/388233-virus-ransomware-microsoft-wannacry/

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Permalink Reply by DTOM on May 13, 2017 at 11:11am

Fear not, Theresa May has promised to allocate $27 million USD / 21 million GBP...

...to provide Somalia with more military training.

https://sputniknews.com/world/201705111053520665-uk-training-somali...

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Permalink Reply by Ragnarok on May 13, 2017 at 4:15pm

Russian banks, railway giant among targets of WannaCry ransomware allegedly linked to NSA

Published time: 13 May, 2017 10:19

Russian Railways was among the companies compromised by the WannaCry ransomware, while Russian banks successfully blocked Friday’s hack attacks. The virus is believed to be linked with the NSA’s stash of exploits exposed by Shadow Brokers hacker group.

https://www.rt.com/news/388228-wannacry-russian-railways-banks/